ShareFest Returns to Totnes: A Free Day of Sharing, Repairing, Swapping & Making
Totnes Civic Hall will host the return of ShareFest on Saturday 18 April, with Totnes MP Caroline Voaden opening the event bringing a full day of hands‑on workshops, repair cafés, creative activities and community initiatives under one roof. Running from 10am to 4pm, the free event is organised by the Network of Wellbeing (NOW) and the Share Shed, with the aim of celebrating practical skills, reducing waste and strengthening local connections.
Now in its third year, ShareFest has become a fixture in the South Devon calendar, offering residents the chance to learn new skills, mend well‑loved items and explore more sustainable ways of living. From repairing a broken appliance to swapping clothes or learning a new craft, the programme is designed to be accessible to all ages and abilities.
A Day of Practical Skills and Community Spirit
Throughout the day, visitors can drop into a range of activities:
Repair Café – Volunteers from Repair Café groups across South Devon will help diagnose and fix household items, from tools and toys to small appliances, while sharing their knowledge along the way.
Sewing & Mending – Support for repairing clothing and textiles, whether it’s a jumper needing attention or a favourite bag in need of reinforcement.
Bike Maintenance with Totnes Bike Hub – Free tune‑ups and advice for keeping bikes in good working order.
Clothes Swap (Recycle Devon) – Attendees can refresh their wardrobe by bringing good‑quality items to exchange.
Seed & Plant Swap (Totnes Climate Hub) – A chance to trade seeds and seedlings, with donations welcome for those arriving empty‑handed.
Tech Amnesty (The Fixy Project & Donate IT) – Old laptops, phones and cables can be dropped off for secure refurbishment or responsible recycling.
Wheel Weaving (The Wool Hub) – A creative textile activity using a bike wheel as a frame, suitable for beginners.
Children’s Activities – Moor Imagination Collective and Mindful Making will guide young participants through imaginative, sustainability‑focused sessions.
Pay What You Feel Café (Food in Community) – Cakes, drinks and a surplus‑food lunch served on a donation basis.
Food Bank Collection – Donations of non‑perishable items will be collected for Stepping Stones, the Totnes Food Bank.
Meet the Share Shed – The mobile Library of Things will be stationed outside St Mary’s Church, showcasing the 350+ items available to borrow.
Workshops and Timetabled Sessions
Alongside the ShareFest drop‑in activities, several workshops will run throughout the day:
10am–12.30pm: Needle Felting (The Wool Hub) – A beginner‑friendly introduction to working with wool.
All day: Coil Basket Making (Jules Bristow) – A meditative craft taught through on‑the‑day sign‑ups.
11am–12pm & 2.30pm–3.30pm: A Tale of Two Letters (Adam Glennon, A Letter Is Better) – Exploring the reflective practice of writing unsent letters.
1pm–2pm: Community Singing (Jenna Blencowe, Heart of the Wild) – Nature‑inspired songs open to all voices.
2pm–3.30pm: Darning Workshop (Totnes Climate Hub) – Techniques for repairing knitwear and woven fabrics, suitable for beginners.
Information stalls from local organisations — including Sustainable South Hams, Transition Town Totnes, Libraries Unlimited and others — will be available for those wanting to learn more about community projects across the region.
“More Than Fixing and Swapping”
Mirella Ferraz, Project Manager at NOW, says the event is about more than practical skills: “ShareFest is about building the kinds of communities where people look after each other and the planet. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Totnes Civic Hall.”