Transition Southampton believes in a positive, sustainable, community imagined future. We are part of the international Transition Network, and have run many projects around food, energy, waste, transport and the built environment. Our current projects include Repair Cafe, Growing Places, Bike Kitchen and Rat-proof Composting and Open Homes Events. We are also pleased to announce that our popular Green Gardening Consultancy offer is back. We publish the Southampton Sustainable Living Guide, whose current contents you can view here.
Check out the full list of projects here and get in touch you’re like to get involved or have an idea you would like support with, by emailing chair[at]transitionsouthampton[dot]org
Southampton Repair Cafe
Repair Cafes run regularly around the city (scroll down for full list of dates) for repairs including electrical, sewing, computers, bikes, jewellery. We tackle most portable things, including sharpening garden tools etc. All Repair cafes run from 10.30-13.00. No need to book, just turn up for repair or a cuppa! (If you’re unsure about your item feel free to email us at a week or so beforehand to check.) We welcome cash donations for repairs, which help cover our hall hire and insurance costs. We also welcome more volunteers, especially anyone who could help us with advertising/social media to spread the word! More info at repaircafe[at]transitionsouthampton[dot]org
Our four venues are:
Shirley Parish Church, opposite St James Park near the northern end of St James Rd. Normally we are in the parish hall but while this is being renovated (likely most of 2026) we will be in the church itself. You can park in the surrounding streets; bikes can come inside.
Freemantle Baptist Church Hall, Testwood Rd, SO15 8RL (this is near Millbrook station, on the corner of Testwood Rd and Waterhouse Lane; look for the ‘Memorial Hall’ sign above the church. Park in car park/surrounding streets; bikes can come into hall.) Map details: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ttbxs2vFqWyMgtTJ6) We need more help with admin at this one! Email if you can help.
Immaculate Conception Church hall, Portswood Rd, SO17 3SB (the hall is behind the church and access to parking is off Belgrave Rd near its junction with Kent Rd.) Map details: https://maps.app.goo.gl/syzq9ZhmPeY1AGii9
St Denys Community Centre, Priory Rd, SO17 2JZ.
Map details: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EfMsrFF7tQQhtowm7
Totton repair cafe runs on alternate months and
Eastleigh repair cafe 1-4pmruns on the last Sat of each month at the Pavilion in the Park. See https://therestartproject.org/networks/hampshire/ for all Hampshire repair cafes.
Upcoming dates in 2026
Jun 6 Freemantle Baptist
Jun 20 Immaculate Conception
Jul 4 Shirley (NB: no sharpening available)
Jul 18 St Denys
Aug 1 Freemantle Baptist
Aug 15 Immaculate Conception
Sep 5 Shirley
Sep 19 St Denys
Oct 3 Freemantle Baptist
Oct 17 Immaculate Conception
Nov 7 Shirley
Nov 21 St Denys
Dec 5 Freemantle Baptist
NB there are other repair cafes in Hampshire including Eastleigh, Totton and Winchester – see https://therestartproject.org/networks/hampshire/ for a list of what’s coming up where.
For more on Southampton Repair Cafe see our Repair cafe page or our Blog about its history.
Carrying items for sharpening to the repair cafe
Our Repair Café can sharpen many items such as kitchen knives, garden and workshop tools, or scissors. Some customers worry about carrying these items to the venue, given publicity over knife-crime. Police advice is to wrap knives and small tools in a cloth, such as a towel or tea towel, and carry them in the bottom of a (shopping) bag, to keep them out of sight. Follow similar principles for larger garden tools, as far as is practical. If any item has a dedicated blade guard or box, use it. If walking, go directly to the venue and directly home again; if in a car, lock them in the boot. Perhaps also carry an RC leaflet or printed information from the website, or written details of the Repair Café venue where they will be/were sharpened, to show where you are going with the items.
Blog: From Gas Boiler to Air Source Heat Pump
If you’re curious about what’s involved in converting from a gas boiler to an Air Source Heat Pump, check out this fantastic write-up from one of our members, which has recently been updated 18 months after installation.
Energy Action Month and Green Open Homes October 2026
We are repeating last year’s successful Green Open Homes Week but this time for the whole month of October. Also we will be collaborating with the Environment Centre to bring Energy Action Month to the city, with talks and roadshows on keeping your home warm (or cool!) and saving on energy bills. Last year over 70 people visited homes of 19 participating householders who shared their experiences with sustainable home & garden improvements and lifestyle choices. These included insulation/draught-proofing, heat pumps, solar, battery, EV, e-bikes as well as energy saving, water-saving, vegetable growing, green purchasing and travel.
We are still finalising the program but some of the participating homes (as well as how to open your own home!) can be found at https://openhomes.transitionsouthampton.org/ Dates and booking arrangements will follow soon.
Don’t chuck your Windows 10 PC!!
Things to check/do if your computer is running Windows 10 and you want to keep the security updates until October 2027:
1. Sign up for Extended Security Updates. Follow the instructions here. This will cover your computer until the support ends on 12.10.2027 which gives you time to decide on next steps. Requirements:
You must be signed into a Microsoft account (but not a child’s Microsoft account – this must be an administrator’s account for the computer)
Your device must be running Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education or Workstations edition and have the latest version installed. You must also meet one or more of the following conditions:
Use Windows Backup
Redeem 1,000 Microsoft points
Pay $30 (plus tax)
2. Check if your computer is eligible to upgrade to Windows 11 (for free). If your computer is set to receive automatic updates you may already have had a message saying whether your machine has the system requirements needed to upgrade, and this will be offered to you if it does. To double check the status of your computer, run Windows Update and scroll down to find the invitation to Extended Security Updates.
3. If your computer can’t be upgraded to Windows 11 and you don’t want to buy another one, you could consider installing an alternative operating system such as Linux Mint and using a free office suite such as LibreOffice.
If you would like to talk through these options with one of our repairers, please come along to a Repair Cafe. If you want to check that there will be a computer repairer available at the cafe you plan to attend, feel free to email beforehand: repaircafe[at]transitionsouthampton[dot]org
Imagine Southampton Film
What do you see when you imagine a better Southampton? Our new Imagine Southampton film harnesses the collective power of our community’s imagination to imagine a better future for our city and our communities.
Bitterne Park Growing Places
We’re repeating our successful community food growing project again this year. Watch this space for news of what’s next this year.
Imagine 2030 using the Transition Time Machine
See what people saw in 2030 when they travelled into the future. A full write-up is available on our Blog.
Join a Southampton Group
If you’re looking to get involved with a local group there any many amazing environmental organisations around the city, some are listed here.