Future Fixers taster sessions - dip your toe into the world of repair - from rewiring a plug to a beginners guide to soldering. Whether it’s fixing a TV remote, or stripping down a games console, these bite-sized taster sessions could be just what you’re looking for to start your journey into repair.

Making the tech and electricals we own last longer by fixing and maintaining them is a great way to reduce e-waste, save money, and is one small way we can help tackle climate change.

Come along and learn new skills, or share this with your fix-curious friends or relatives

Ages: 18+ (12+ with an accompanying adult)

Skill level: beginner

Places: strictly limited 

Venue: Queen’s Crescent Fixing Factory, 179 Queen’s Crescent NW5 4DS

Dates/times: various throughout June 2024 - see individual events below for details

Future Fixers is funded by a grant from the Time After Time fund, created by Virgin Media O2 and environmental charity Hubbub to support environmental projects across the country. For more information visit timeaftertimefund.org.uk

Workshop 1:

Up Close With Your Remote 

Everything you need to know to test, troubleshoot and repair your TV or set top box remote.

From non-responsive buttons to leaked batteries, the skills learned will get 99% of TV remote controls up and running.

After this short session you may never need to replace a remote again (unless of course…you lose it)

Date:  Thursday 13th June

Time (early session): 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Time (late session): 8pm - 9pm

Spaces: 6 per session

Workshop 2:

How to Rewire a Plug

A short journey around a 3 pin mains plug

Learn how to identify common faults with mains leads and plugs, test fuses, and ensure the correct fuse is fitted, and of course how to wire a plug to professional standards. 

We’ll discuss how to identify and source suitable replacement electrical flex, but will not cover replacing flexes during this session,

Date: Weds 19th June

Time (early session): 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Time (late session): 8pm - 9pm

Spaces: 6 per session

Workshop 3:

Journey into a Games Console

Strip Down 1, Fixing Factory edition: get into the guts of a Playstation 3

The Playstation is overheating!* Your challenge is to open it, remove obstructions, clean the fans, locate the mighty cooler, change the thermal paste and get out of there safely before the red ring of death gets you…no screws will be left unturned…

*actual game/fixplay will vary

Date: Wednesday 26th June

Time: 7pm

Spaces: 6

Duration: 2 hours

Workshop 4:

A Beginners Guide to Soldering for Repair

This workshop will introduce you to using a soldering iron and will cover the fundamentals of how soldering works. You’ll learn how to make a professional standard splice joint, and then hone your skills by building a small through-hole kit.

Soldering can be seen as using a molten metal alloy - known as solder - to 'glue' electronic components together. Solder connects the majority of the small parts in all our consumer electronics - come along and learn the basics of this invaluable repair skill.

Date:  Thursday 27th June

Time: 7 - 9pm

Spaces: 6

Sign up here to express interest - you can sign up for as many workshops as you want but we want to give as many people as possible a taste of fixing, so we’ll allocate places due to demand and your order of preference

If the above sessions are already within your skillset, or you’re interested volunteering with Fixing Factory in some way we almost certainly have bigger challenges you could take on in our workshop - fill in our volunteer form and let us know if you’re up for it