THE brand new Redditch Repair Cafe is appealing to residents to donate old tools and parts no longer in use.
The aim is to breathe new life into them and put them back into action in a community project to repair broken items which people can’t part with but which could quickly be re-born with a bit of TLC.
The Repair Cafe grew out of a scheme which has already taken off in Malvern and seen people with valuable skills putting them to good use repairing and restoring things to perfect working order.
“We live in a throw away society, but so much of what we have could quickly and easily be put back into good working order,” said Esther Passingham, who is running the project from Inkberrow Design Centre based in Britten Street.
“We have volunteers with the skills to do it – and more would be welcome – but we need the tools to do the job too and we would be so grateful for any donations.”
The hope is to bring a real sense of community togetherness both within the volunteers and the people dropping their items off for repair.
The cafe will be selling tea, coffee and cake and all the work will be carried out for the price of a donation to the cause.
“In Malvern they’ve created a really good spirit among the repairers and it’s proved to be a real social get-together for them too,” said Esther.
“In Redditch we’re hoping to get 50 repairers, so please feel free to get in touch.”
The scheme, supported by Age UK’s Men in Sheds will run monthly at Britten House, Britten Street, just off Bromsgrove Road with the first session, from 10am to 2pm, scheduled for April 9.
To volunteer your skills or drop off some tools, call 01527 69100 or email [email protected]
