Transition Southampton believes in a positive, sustainable, community imagined future. We work with local communities, organisations and local governments to create positive, sustainable, community-based solutions that tackle climate change and energy scarcity. We are part of the international Transition Network, and have a range of active and past projects across food, energy, waste, transport and the built environment, including our long-running Repair Cafes (see below.)
Some of Our Projects
Our current projects include Repair Cafe, Growing Places and Rat-proof Composting. We’ve run various projects and events over the years including our Open Homes Weekends. Check out the full list 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 News
Repair Cafes run regularly around the city (scroll down for full list of dates) for repairs including electrical, sewing, computers, bikes, jewellery etc. We tackle most portable things. 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 Hall (St James by the Park Church Hall), 1A Colebrook Ave. The hall itself doesn’t have a postcode but the ‘what three words’ location is silks.ants.fields ; you can park in the surrounding streets; bikes can come into hall.) Ignore Facebook pasts saying “14 Colebrook Avenue” – we are trying to get this changed! Map details: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3wnR6sPUmo66rF2b7
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)
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, run by one of our volunteers – for more details see their facebook page.
Upcoming dates in 2025
Apr 5 Freemantle Baptist
Apr 19 Immaculate Conception
May 3 Shirley
May 17 St Denys (not Fri 16th!!!)
Jun 7 Freemantle Baptist
Jun 21 Immaculate Conception
Jul 5 Shirley
Jul 19 St Denys
Aug 2 Freemantle Baptist
Aug 16 Immaculate Conception
Sep 6 Shirley
Sep 20 St Denys
Oct 4 Freemantle Baptist
Oct 18 Immaculate Conception
Nov 1 Shirley
Nov 15 St Denys
Dec 6 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.
Blog: Could Southampton become one of the first National Park Cities?
Southampton (alongside Glasgow, Rotterdam and Breda in the Netherlands and Chattanooga in Tennessee USA, will join London and Adelaide, the only two cities to have already been given the accolade, on UN World Cities Day 31 Oct 2023!
Southampton is a unique city well known for its Maritime history, ancient walls and it’s pioneering in the fields of science and medicine. But Southampton’s natural heritage; our parks, the Common, green spaces, allotments, gardens, local nature reserves, and rivers are often undervalued. Learn more about Southampton National Park City on our Blog here.
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.
Green Open Homes Week
13-21 September 2025
We are repeating our successful ‘Green Open Homes’ events in 2025, this time including a wider range of homes/gardens and also independent local businesses and maybe some talks. We are now looking for volunteers to open! See more at https://transitionsouthampton.org/open-homes-weekends/
Transition Talks for Urban Wild
We are offering two talks on Rewilding for the Urban Wild Festival.
Rewilding 1: Overview and Principles Tue 27 May 18:30 for 19:00 Start for 1 hour
Rewilding 2: You and Your Patch (However small !!!) Thu 29 May 18:30 for 19:00 Start for 1 hour
Both talks will take place in the Lounge Room at the Highfield Church Centre (Highfield Lane, Southampton SO17 1RL). There is no faith content or alignment.
Kevin – a former research biologist – has given a number of talks, in Southampton and beyond, including many for Transition Southampton. All his talks have been well received. Kevin gave a talk on Rewilding on 23 Feb 2022. The current talks are NOT a re-run of that talk.
Each of the above talks is standalone. However, more benefit will be derived by attending both talks.
Entrance is free. However, donations to cover the costs of room hire would be well received.
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.