ALCESTER Repair Cafe is hoping to give old or broken items a new lease of life.
With a range of skills on offer from the volunteer ‘fixers’ it’s hoped the monthly gathering will not only save people money but also prove a welcoming and open boost to the local community.
“Often if something breaks we don’t know how to fix it even though the rest of it may be good for many more years to come,” said Wendy Sheward, of Alcester Town Council, who helped get the project off the ground.
“A repair cafe is a way of extending that shelf life, to show the true value of things and with an economic and environmental benefit too.”
The germ of the idea took root last year and was built around a core group of 15 volunteers, with more since joining.
Together they offer expertise in electronics, woodworking, ceramics, sewing and much more.
All customers need to do is take their broken piece of kit in – whether it’s a vacuum cleaner that’s broken down, a leg table, bicycle or material that needs sewing, and the volunteers will get to work.
The service is entirely free but donations are welcome, and tea, cake and coffee are also on sale.
“We’re lucky to have so many volunteers,” said Wendy.
“Malvern Repair Cafe came along to offer assistance, then we had a visit from the one in Leamington, we also got a few donations and have managed to buy all the kit we think we’ll need,” said Wendy.
“We’re hoping young people will come along too – it’s all about sharing skills, it’s inexpensive and the benefits are huge.”
Alcester Repair Cafe in the depot section of the Eric Payne Centre in Alcester on the third Thursday of every month from 2pm to 6pm.
