Posted by: Guy Souliere
What if a broken lamp, a torn jacket, or a broken stroller didn’t automatically end up in the landfill?
A new neighbourhood initiative, Fix & Learn, is bringing businesses and neighbours together in Old Ottawa South to share practical repair knowledge, reduce waste, and build stronger connections between people.
The idea is simple: repair what we can, learn from each other, and keep useful things in use.
Community members can bring items that need repair and work alongside experienced entrepreneurs, seniors, tradespeople, hobbyists, makers and other volunteers to explore possible solutions. Sometimes an item can be fixed on the spot. Other times, participants may learn which tools to use, what parts are needed, or where to find a local business that can take on a more complex repair.
But Fix & Learn is about much more than fixing things. It is about creating a welcoming place where people can learn practical skills, share knowledge across generations, discover new tools and meet their neighbours. Many things are thrown away simply because we don’t have the right tools, don’t know where to start, or don’t know whether a repair is even possible. Fix & Learn hopes to change that.
You don’t have to be a repair expert
This is where you can help.
We are looking for people with all kinds of skills and interests – from experienced tradespeople and electricians to needleworkers, cyclists, makers, tinkerers, hobbyists and people who simply enjoy figuring out how things work.
And you don’t have to be an expert to volunteer.
We also need people to help with welcoming participants, organizing tools, setting up and cleaning up, sharing ideas, helping with demonstrations, promoting events and connecting people with local businesses.
Maybe you have a garage full of tools. Maybe you know how to sew a button or replace a zipper. Maybe you are comfortable troubleshooting electronics. Or maybe you simply enjoy helping people.
There is a place for you at Fix & Learn.
What could we repair?
We are exploring a variety of hands-on repair stations, including:
- Small home appliance repair station – Basic troubleshooting and repair of items such as heaters, vacuums, lamps, toasters, home phones and other small appliances.
- Garment repair & clothing care station – Basic mending, patching, zipper repair, hemming and ways to extend the life of clothing.
- Hands-on tool station – Access to use of common tools for simple repairs done yourself while learning with our volunteer fixers.
Future sessions could include furniture, clocks, watches, sharpening, electronics, outdoor equipment, toys, household hardware and computer troubleshooting, depending on the skills and interests of our volunteers.
Help – We need your ideas and your talents
Fix & Learn is being shaped by the community, and we want to hear from you.
What would you like to learn to repair? What skills already exist in our neighbourhood? What tools could be shared? Where should we hold future sessions?
Most importantly, could you volunteer?
You might volunteer once or once a month, or simply help when a particular repair topic interests you.
We are looking for:
- Repair volunteers and people with practical skills.
- People willing to teach or demonstrate a skill.
- Tool and workshop enthusiasts.
- Sewing and fabric repair helpers.
- Setup and cleanup volunteers.
- Greeters and people who enjoy connecting neighbours.
- Local businesses willing to share expertise, tools or resources.
- People interested in helping organize future sessions.
A neighbourhood built by people who help each other
The July pilot was a great success, with enthusiastic volunteers, great conversations and plenty of knowledge exchanged around the repair tables.
That experience showed what Fix & Learn can become: a regular opportunity for neighbours to work together, learn from one another and help keep useful things out of the landfill.
We are launching Fix & Learn as a monthly neighbourhood program, with future events shaped by community interest and volunteer participation.
When: Second Sunday of each month, 9:00 – 11:30 am
Where: The Firehall (Michael Jenkin Hall), 260 Sunnyside Avenue
Upcoming dates:
- September 13 – The Firehall
- October 3 – Fall Fest information booth (Windsor Park)
- November 8 – The Firehall
- December 13 – The Firehall
Want to have something repaired?
To register your item for repair visit oldottawasouth.ca and – as you would for any program or event – click on “Register” select “Special Events” and register for “Fix and Learn.” It’s easy and free.
Prefer to drop in? You can also register at the welcome desk when you arrive.
Come fix, learn — or just lend a hand
You don’t need to know how to fix everything. You just need to be curious and willing to help.
Whether you have a skill to share, a tool to lend, an idea for a future repair station, or simply want to meet neighbours and be part of something positive, Fix & Learn is looking for you.
Interested in volunteering, attending, hosting or helping organize? Contact Guy Souliere or Marilyn Muleski at fixandlearn@oldottawasouth.ca
Guy Souliere is an Old Ottawa South community activist and a member of the Enviro Crew.
Featured in the September 2026 OSCAR