“Broken laptop? That’ll be £800.”
That’s how the conversation normally goes when you take your faulty tech to a commercial repair shop. Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy new tech than fix broken tech, which is why so many of us have one of those junk drawers full of smashed phones, faulty devices, and a snake pit of random cables.
But VTeam’s Repair Café are different. The volunteers at this project attempt to fix broken gadgets and gizmos totally free of charge, with a very high success rate, saving students and staff time, stress, and money. Fixing broken technology is much more sustainable as saves it from landfill, which is vital, as the UK creates the second-highest amount of electronic waste in the world. Repair Café's amazing contribution to the circular economy on campus saw them nab the prestigious Platinum Sustainable Essex Award from the university, the highest achievement possible in the Sustainability Team’s accreditation programme.
They have fixed an incredible range of items in their first year, from a microscope, to Airpods, to a PS4 Pro, to a hoover, to laptops, and more. In an average week, the team fix 2 laptops, and in busy weeks, they have been known to fix as many as 10.
Matt, Repair Café’s tech guru and project leader, said this about his experience of volunteering at Essex:
“VTeam is such an amazing thing to be a part of, it’s a great way to use your time and make such a difference for others. In our project, we see students come in who have a broken device and maybe can’t afford to go somewhere else to get it fixed, and they walk away with a fixed device - that makes such a difference to them, and it might even help them get their coursework done on time.”
Next time you have a computer crisis, don’t despair, bin your item, or visit a tech shop charlatan – try Repair Café on campus. Or if you’re tech savvy, join the Repair Café crew and develop your skills while helping fellow students.
Check out all the VTeam opportunities available for students here. Do good, feel good, and make lifelong friends.
Want to step up and lead a VTeam project? Applications are now open, and you can learn more about these rewarding roles here.