The Fixy story

Following research into reuse opportunities funded by Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP), environmental consultancy Resource Futures found that public awareness of repair activities was low across Somerset - and that transport was a key issue for both the public and community groups.

2025 - National Lottery Awards for All

Currently Fixy’s work across inland Somerset and neighbouring counties is funded by the National Lottery. Promoting tech drop-off points, attending community events and working with Donate IT to collect, refurbish and redistribute devices to those in need.

2025 - Hinckley Point C Community Fund

Currently Fixy’s work in the coastal region of Somerset is funded by the HPC Community Fund. Connecting repair and reuse initiatives across the region, promoting these to the community and encouraging volunteering and donation of unwanted tech.

2023-2024 - Material Focus’ Electricals Recycling Fund

This funding period extended Fixy’s reach piloting work with residents in flats, providing pink bins for small electricals and hosting amnesty events for donation of smart tech devices.

2022 - 2023 - Ecosurety Exploration Fund

The Fixy project launched – a mobile, awareness-raising repair van – working in partnership with Donate IT and Somerset Waste Partnership, Fixy travelled around Somerset promoting repair and reuse messages, attending community events.

Building Fixy

  • In order to build grass roots engagement, Resource Futures carried out initial meetings with repair cafes assessing where and how they would like support. The name was chosen through a public vote to create early publicity momentum and an approachable brand identity was developed in conjunction with SWP

  • As procurement of an electric vehicle was out of reach at this stage, we sourced and refurbished a second-hand Ford Transit, customising it inside and out. This included installation of roof solar panels to power tools for repair and full decal branding to create a highly identifiable mobile showcase for the project

  • A community coordinator was then appointed. Initially the coordinator’s role focussed on planning attendance at events, speaking to potential volunteers and repair café organisers, and training as a PAT tester. Following this, the coordinator also began liaising with businesses and schools to get the message out more widely, along with collecting donated smart tech for repair and refurbishment through tech amnesties

  • We then partnered with Donate IT, to ensuring as many smart tech items as possible were refurbished after they were donated. Donate IT, who are a sister company of Blackmore IT, are fully equipped to handle, process, data-wipe and refurbish the donated items. These include laptops, tablets, phones, cameras and games consoles