The Tunbridge Wells Repair Café is going from strength to strength and is just one of 2,600 repair Cafés across the world, with 14 in Kent alone.
Chris Murphy
Repair Cafés started in 2009 in Amsterdam, and the Tunbridge Wells Repair Café opened its doors in Trinity Theatre, Church Road, in 2020.
The aim of Repair Cafés is to bring together groups of people with the knowledge and enthusiasm to make a difference in today’s throw-away society, by prolonging the life of loved and much-used items to avoid them being discarded.
The most common items seen by repair cafés are electrical and these represent two-thirds of items taken in. At the TW Repair Café, the need for electrical expertise is high and, although up to seven electrical repairers are offered at the TW Repair Café, this is not enough and more are needed, to enable them to grow and meet demand. If you, or someone you know, has electrical experience and could be available for one Saturday morning a month, you would be welcomed with open arms, and there is free tea and cake! Contact them on email (below) to find out more.
People also join the TW Repair Café to enjoy the satisfaction of being able to help others and the environment, as part of a friendly team. Also, any money raised through donations, in excess of their running costs, goes to charity and, so far, they have raised over £3,350 for local and national charities.
No experience is needed as the TW Repair Café runs a programme to help volunteers learn some of the skills needed to become a repairer so, if you would be interested, do get in touch with Chris Murphy on twellsrepairCafé@gmail.com. You would be made most welcome.