Gravesham Repair Café

It is pleasing to report that we are gaining more volunteers.  In the last few months several have joined with their skills at repairing items while others have joined to assist in the kitchen or help with administration. Obviously our primary aim is to repair household items so that they don't end up contributing to landfill. But a secondary function is providing a facility that fosters a community of friendship and mutual support.  It seems we are succeeding. Our volunteers do everything for free, and fortunately many of our visitors make donations which helps us afford the venue rental and supplies like glue and batteries. Speaking of free, the fully serviced small bike shown with a tape measure is waiting for a new home.  Email GraveshamRepairCafe@gmail.com if you are interested. Saddle height adjusts 55cm to 75cm

We were all entertained by a music box this time.  It looked lovely but didn't work.  So it was dismantled and repaired of course.  We've a little video of it playing The Anniversary Song seen in that movie The Jolson Story of 1946.   Naturally we had other things to repair.  Film camera, Christmas lights, tea caddy, CD player, vacuum cleaner, walnut clock... and quite a lot of table lamps this time.  

A busy day with visitors bringing a wide variety of items for repair.   How many can you identify in this one minute silent video? (zoom to see larger)   PLUS A pair of spectacles  A pair of kettles  A garden clock   And a lot of sewing repairs

Pushchair, clothing, skates, table lamps, vacuum cleaner, converted oil lamp, bicycle, clocks... it was a fairly typical day at Repair Café today - apart from the incessant rain! Unfortunately we couldn't repair the two pairs of headphones .  One had a break somewhere along its cable which wasn't replaceable.  The other had a burned out loudspeaker on one side.  A video player was presented as having a stuck disc drawer. It turned out that the electronics were no longer working - perhaps because it had been powered by the wrong supply with too high a voltage. As usual we have a few photos:

Our Gravesend Repair Café was delayed a week to accommodate the New Year holiday.  However, we still had a reasonable number of visitors to keep us busy repairing throughout. At Vigo, two days later and despite the bitterly cold weather, we enjoyed repairing several bicycles, a music keyboard, and other small items.  It was remarked by visitors how welcoming and friendly everyone was. Sewing experts This last image shows what we call the "table of kindness".  Various items no longer wanted that are free to take by visitors.  If things remain for several weeks we dispose of them anyway.  

Gravesham Repair Café is celebrating its 2 years anniversary. It began at the Veterans Hall, Northfleet in December 2023.    It was a small start, but we have continued to grow.  We extended  our reach to Vigo after a generous invitation from Vigo Parish Council in September '24, and moved from Northfleet to St George's church hall in Gravesend when the Northfleet venue proved too small for the number of visitors.   We could not have done it without the support of the volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise to puzzle over intricate household items which are sometimes constructed to baffle the mind.  The volunteers also set up the tables, chairs, signs and dole out teas and coffees.  Here's to all our volunteers!! And to our visitors!   School Report   As examples of our success rates repairing the items our visitors bring, here are the most recent statistics to hand:   As you can see we make successful repairs more often t...

It must be the time of year.  Some of our crew were absent due to medical appointments, but despite that we managed to effect repairs to a wide variety of items as usual.  There was plenty of electrical work:  a tiny novelty light, a large hedge trimmer and items of intermediate size.  With Christmas looming we had several decorative lights to get working again.  It wasn't only electrical items.  We also had clocks, toys, bikes and sewing repairs to do. We were visited by someone from Gravesham Friendly (one of our sponsors) who made this short video. Our usual photographer was one of those absent so please forgive the reduced number of other pictures from the day.    

We've made a one minute video to give an idea of what it's like at a Repair Café. On arrival, visitors are greeted at the Reception desk to be allocated a suitable repairer for their item. In this video you'll also see our 'sister' groups.  Crafty Yarns are a group who focus on sewing while the ladies at another table use empty crisp packets to make blankets for those in need.   Naturally we had our usual fare of items to repair: another record player, a toaster, a fan, a lawn mower, a clock, a fan heater, clothing repairs...    And if you have children in tow, we can usually find something to keep them occupied.