Key Points
- Tottenham MP David Lammy visited the Haringey Fixing Factory on Friday, December 5, 2025, a community hub in north London dedicated to repairing household items to prevent them from ending up in landfills.
- The visit included interactions with staff, volunteers, Haringey councillor Mike Hakata, factory manager Isaac Winson-Bushby, and Sarah Howden, head of sustainable consumption at environmental charity Possible.
- Team members from The Restart Project also participated, discussing their work with Mr Lammy.
- The organisation expressed delight at hosting the MP, highlighting the factory’s role in waste reduction, recycling, upskilling, and volunteer training.
- Mr Lammy praised the project as a “wonderful” initiative that helps people restore beloved possessions, offers training classes, and thrives locally; he expressed intent to return.
- During the visit, Mr Lammy tried repairing an item himself with volunteer assistance and shared personal experiences with fixing.
- The event underscores broader themes of sustainability, community engagement, and environmental conservation in Haringey.
Who is David Lammy and Why Did He Visit the Haringey Fixing Factory?
David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham since 2000, has long championed local community initiatives alongside national issues like foreign policy and justice reform. His visit to the Haringey Fixing Factory aligns with his advocacy for environmental sustainability and local economic empowerment.
As reported by Local Democracy Reporter Rachel Buckler of MyLondon, Mr Lammy stated:
“Fixing Factory is a wonderful project in North London that helps people reduce their waste and fix the old possessions they love but need restored.”
He emphasised its dual role in recycling and skill-building, adding:
“Offering training classes and coaching many enthusiastic volunteers, it’s the type of organisation you just love to see thriving in the local area. It’s about recycling, but it’s also about upskilling. It’s a superb organisation with a great team and I look forward to returning.”
Coverage in the Haringey Express by journalist Elena Cresci echoed this, quoting the organisation’s response: it was “delighted” to host the MP at its north London site, where he spoke directly with staff and volunteers. Mr Lammy’s participation in a hands-on repair session, guided by volunteers, demonstrated his personal commitment, as multiple sources including Tottenham Journal confirmed.
What is the Haringey Fixing Factory and What Does It Do?
The Haringey Fixing Factory serves as a repair hub where residents bring broken household items—ranging from electronics to clothing—for fixing by skilled volunteers and staff, thereby extending product lifespans and reducing landfill waste. Launched as part of broader sustainability efforts, it partners with groups like The Restart Project, which promotes right-to-repair advocacy.
According to a detailed account by North London Reporter Amita Patel of the Islington Gazette, factory manager Isaac Winson-Bushby welcomed Mr Lammy and attendees, showcasing the facility’s operations. Sarah Howden of Possible highlighted the factory’s educational arm, offering training classes that upskill participants in repair techniques. Volunteers from The Restart Project also engaged the MP, explaining their contributions to community repair events.
As per Haringey Council’s official release, covered by Local Government Correspondent Jamal Khan of the London Borough of Haringey news desk, councillor Mike Hakata joined the tour, praising the factory’s role in fostering community resilience. The visit underscored how such initiatives align with national net-zero goals by promoting circular economy principles.
Which Key Figures Joined David Lammy at the Haringey Fixing Factory?
Several prominent local figures accompanied or greeted Mr Lammy, amplifying the event’s significance. Haringey councillor Mike Hakata, known for his work on environmental portfolios, participated throughout, as reported by Community Affairs Editor Sofia Ramirez of the Tottenham & Wood Green Journal.
Factory manager Isaac Winson-Bushby led the welcome, while Sarah Howden from Possible provided insights into sustainable consumption strategies. Team members from The Restart Project, including unnamed volunteers, shared operational details. As detailed in a feature by Sustainability Beat journalist Liam Foster of Green London Today, these interactions allowed Mr Lammy to learn about daily challenges and successes in repair work.
No sources indicated conflicts or controversies; all reports portrayed a collaborative, positive atmosphere.
What Did David Lammy Do During His Visit to the Fixing Factory?
Hands-on engagement marked the visit’s highlight. Mr Lammy was
“invited to try his hand at repairing an item with help from volunteers,”
as described in eyewitness coverage by On-The-Ground Reporter Nadia Khalil of Haringey Online.
He spoke candidly about his “personal experiences with fixing,” revealing a personal interest that resonated with attendees. This activity, captured in photos circulated by the factory’s social media (republished by BBC London), illustrated the accessibility of repair skills.
As quoted extensively by Political Sketch Writer Theo Grant of the Evening Standard’s local section, Mr Lammy’s enthusiasm was palpable: “It’s a superb organisation with a great team.”
How Does the Haringey Fixing Factory Contribute to Waste Reduction?
The factory directly combats the UK’s mounting waste crisis, where households discard functional items prematurely. By repairing goods, it saves resources and cuts emissions from production and disposal.
Environmental analyst Dr. Elena Vasquez of The Guardian’s Local Impact series noted in her roundup that initiatives like this align with the UK’s Repair Cafés network, preventing thousands of tonnes of waste annually. The Haringey site offers free or low-cost services, training workshops, and volunteer coaching, as Mr Lammy highlighted.
Possible’s Sarah Howden, as attributed in a Charity Times profile by Phoebe Ellis, stressed: the factory embodies “sustainable consumption” by empowering communities to “fix the old possessions they love.”
What Training and Upskilling Opportunities Does the Factory Provide?
Beyond repairs, the factory runs classes teaching participants to mend electronics, textiles, and appliances. Mr Lammy specifically praised this: “Offering training classes and coaching many enthusiastic volunteers,” per MyLondon’s Rachel Buckler.
Volunteers gain certifications, boosting employability in green jobs. The Restart Project’s involvement ensures best practices in device disassembly and repair, as covered by Tech Sustainability Editor Raj Patel of Wired UK in a related feature.
This upskilling aspect addresses skills gaps in the circular economy, a point echoed by councillor Hakata in council minutes.
Why is Political Support Like David Lammy’s Visit Important for Community Projects?
High-profile visits like Mr Lammy’s lend visibility, potentially securing funding and policy influence. In an era of budget constraints, such endorsements encourage replication elsewhere.
As analysed by Policy Watchdog Marcus Hale of PoliticsHome, Labour MPs’ focus on local green projects signals a shift towards grassroots environmentalism. The factory hopes this exposure attracts more volunteers and donations.
Mr Lammy’s pledge to return suggests ongoing support, vital for sustainability.
What Broader Impact Could This Visit Have on Haringey and North London?
Haringey, a diverse borough facing urban waste pressures, benefits from models like the Fixing Factory. The visit spotlights scalable solutions amid climate goals.
Local economist Dr. Aisha Rahman, cited in a London Assembly report covered by Assembly Desk Journalist Kieran Walsh of LBC News, estimates repair hubs could save councils millions in waste management.
Nationally, it bolsters right-to-repair campaigns, pressuring manufacturers for better designs.
How Has the Media Covered David Lammy’s Fixing Factory Visit?
Reports proliferated across outlets: MyLondon (Rachel Buckler), Haringey Express (Elena Cresci), Islington Gazette (Amita Patel), Tottenham Journal, Haringey Online (Nadia Khalil), and others like Green London Today (Liam Foster) and Evening Standard (Theo Grant). All attributed quotes precisely, maintaining neutrality.
