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restart4restarters_2bbe77ead092ae7afc51e1fdf7b812197c6f76ac.jpgGone are the days when an electrical or electronic item was for life; in today’s society, these items are a commodity and a ‘chuck away’ culture means we dispose of a broken DVD player, toaster or radio and replace without hesitation. Where would we even start in having these items fixed, and surely for the cost involved it wouldn’t be worth the time and trouble?

Not only is this approach ensuring our landfills are being clogged with a plethora of wire, electronic boards and bits of plastic and metal, but for some members of society, quick replacement of an item mightn’t be within the realms of affordability, nor will the cost of repairing.

Yet, some of the repairs needed to get these items working again may be relatively simple to do, with a bit of know-how. A loose wire or connection can be remedied easily enough and get an item that was written off working again; life in the old dog yet!

That’s why RS Components decided to support workshops held by London-based charity The Restart Project, which encourages and empowers people to use their electronics for longer. Sharing skills at 'Restart Parties’; workshops that take place in communities and workplaces across London and replicated around the rest of the UK and internationally is how The Restart Project is aiming to create a nation of fixers, imparting skills, helping disadvantaged people and helping avoid further landfill waste. The registered charity was founded by Ugo Vallauri and Janet Gunter, whose worldwide travels and experiences of different cultures inspired them to launch the project.

The parties held so far have been a great success, and some are held exclusively for women, who can enjoy learning and executing these skills in an environment more comfortable to them. At the parties, ‘Restarters’ teach the attendees how to carry out simple repairs on items that have been brought along by the attendees themselves. Those who wish to can even learn more and become Restarters themselves at future workshops, so the cycle of knowledge and skills sharing is continuous.

The series of workshops RS Components is supporting are London-based and comprise six sessions, being held a Somerset House - a major arts and culture centre geared towards encouraging and promoting creativity.

Even our staff, including Pete Wood, DesignSpark Community Manager at RS Components, have been inspired to put their newfound skills to use, fixing a variety of items they had formerly written off. It isn’t just smaller items that can be tackled either - some people bring laptop computers or mobile phones - commonly damaged items that can be incredibly costly to have a specialist take a look at.

More information on all the events being held by The Restart Project can be found at http://therestartproject.org/. Watch this space for an update from the August workshop being held on 12 August - a women's only event teaching soldering skills.

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