How Aberystwyth begins with kindness to tackle climate change

This month’s guest blog shows how kindness is making a difference to community and climate in north Wales – a tale to inspire us all to be more mindful and live in greener ways. Thanks to Emily Ellis, Social Media and Communications Officer at Repair Café Wales, for sharing this example with us. We’d love to hear about other kind communities, so please do get in touch to tell us your story.

Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Aberystwyth is quietly proving that environmental kindness can start small and grow into something powerful. Over the past few years, this university town has become a hub of community-led sustainability – a place where people are not just talking about change, but making it happen together.

In a world often dominated by stories of crisis and climate anxiety, Aberystwyth offers something different: a sense of hope. From its bustling climate shops to its volunteer-led eco hub and Repair Cafe, local people are showing what’s possible when communities choose collaboration and care over consumption and waste.

Community at the Heart

The town’s growing network of sustainability projects reflects a shared belief that small actions add up. In the centre of Aberystwyth, you’ll find shops that make it easy to live more sustainably – offering refills, locally sourced produce, and plastic-free alternatives. They’re not just places to buy things differently; they’re spaces for conversations, learning, and connection.

The Eco Hub builds on this idea, serving as a meeting place where people can explore ideas for greener living. It’s home to workshops, talks, and events that encourage people to take practical steps towards sustainability – from composting and upcycling to community gardening and circular economy projects. The focus is always on empowerment, not perfection.

Repair, Don’t Replace

One of the most inspiring examples is Aberystwyth Repair Café. Run entirely by volunteers, this monthly event invites people to bring in broken household items – from toasters and vacuum cleaners to bikes, jewellery and clothing – and learn how to fix them.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, filled with the hum of conversation and the occasional cheer when a tricky repair succeeds. It’s about so much more than mending objects; it’s about mending our relationship with the things we own, and with each other.

Every event helps prevent waste, save money, and share skills across generations. But most importantly, it builds community resilience. People leave not only with working items but with a renewed sense of connection – to the planet, and to their neighbours.

Kindness as a Climate Act

What makes Aberystwyth’s environmental movement stand out is the kindness behind it. Volunteers give their time freely. Shoppers make small choices that support local producers. Students and residents share ideas instead of competing. Each action – however modest – reflects a belief that kindness can be a force for sustainability.

The town’s projects show that tackling climate change doesn’t have to begin with guilt or fear. It can begin with kindness: choosing to repair instead of replacing, to learn instead of judge, to connect instead of isolate.

A Model for the Future

If Aberystwyth’s example teaches us anything, it’s that positive change thrives when people are given space to act, share, and imagine together. It’s proof that kindness, when rooted in community, can spark a movement.

What if every town followed Aberystwyth’s lead, creating their own hubs of repair, refill, and reuse? The future might just look a little brighter, and a lot kinder.

Repair Cafe Wales is on a mission to bring repair culture to every corner of Wales and beyond. As a registered charity, we open and support community-led repair cafes that empower people to fix, reuse, and rethink the way we consume. By championing practical skills, connection, and a more circular way of living, we’re tackling the growing crisis of waste and landfill—one repair at a time.