Repair Café Wales Social Value Case Study
As part of Cyd Innovation’s dedicated commitment to delivering meaningful social value for our partner Grŵp Cynefin, Cyd Innovation partnered with Repair Café Wales to launch a series of 12 interactive repair workshops for Girl guiding Cymru. The project inspired 173 girls across Wales, building confidence and encourage sustainable behaviours grounded in the circular economy by also encouraging aspirations within STEM subjects amongst those who had not previously considered such pathways.
To ensure the greatest impact, 50% of workshops were delivered in areas ranked among the most deprived 50% in Wales, according to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD). These sessions aim to empower young girls with practical knowledge while fostering a deeper understanding of environmental responsibility.
Download The Full Girls’ Guide Case Study
Workshop Spotlight: Penyffordd Girl Guides
The first workshop kicked off on 9th June, welcoming 14 Girl Guides for an engaging session led by volunteers from Repair Café Wales. Activities included:
- Bicycle maintenance – adjusting seats and fixing punctures
- Sewing techniques – invisible and colourful darning
- General repair – demonstrated using a torn fishing umbrella
- Gadget repair – using Team Repair Kits to fix a handheld games console
Beyond the technical skills, the session focused on why repair matters, how it connects to sustainability, and how these skills can be applied in everyday life. The girls left feeling confident, capable, and inspired to tackle repairs themselves.
Mapping the Impact – Using The Impact Pathway Model
Cyd Innovation uses an impact pathway model to evaluate the full scope of our work from investment to long-term outcomes.
🔧 Activity
- 12 hands-on repair workshops
- Live demonstrations by Repair Café Wales
- Guided gadget repairs using Team Repair Kits
📈 Outputs
- · 172 girls participated
- 50% of workshops in WIMD-defined deprived areas
🎯 Outcomes
- Increased repair knowledge and confidence
- Greater willingness to attempt repairs at home
- Repair badges earned by Girlguiding Cymru members
🌍 Impact
- Adoption of repair and reuse behaviours
- Uptake in volunteering at local repair cafés
- A growing network of young sustainability advocates
Impact Review
The Repair Cafe Wales has successfully ran twelve sessions, reaching 172 girl guides. 90% of girls reported an increase in knowledge about the circular economy and many shared ideas of thing they would like to fix at their local repair cafe, from bikes and lawn mowers to their mum’s teddy.
This early introduction to repair skills not only empowers the Girl Guides to confidently fix and re-use everyday items, but also helps inspire a belief that they can contribute to a more sustainable future.
£8,180 Social Value Generated
This project is forecast to generate £8,180 in social value*, a remarkable return that reflects the tangible difference made in people’s lives and communities. While this figure is based on a 1:1 conversion for every pound invested, the true value is likely far greater. Beyond the numbers, the impact can be seen through the project’s impact pathway, from enhancing participants’ skills and understanding of the circular economy to inspiring more sustainable choices and greener habits. At Cyd Innovation, SROI forms an important part of how we measure success, but our projects are designed to create deeper, lasting impact that helps people and communities grow towards a more circular, connected future. *Based on Welsh TOMs (Themes, Outcomes and Measures) proxy NTW33
Lasting Impact
This project is more than a series of workshops, but a catalyst for long-term behaviour change. By embedding repair culture in youth groups, especially in high-need areas, we aim to spark a generational shift in attitudes toward consumption and sustainability.
