Visitors to March’s Lindfield Repair Cafe were not only able to learn how to fix their household items. Thanks to How to Basically, they were able to learn some basic first aid techniques* and even have a go at CPR on a dummy! Justin and Dave also gave kids a chance to use power tools whilst promoting their DIY courses.
With over 100 visitors and 90 repairs carried out, the repair cafe was buzzing all morning. In fact, it was so busy the cake supplies ran out before the end! If anyone would like to bake a cake for the community more are always welcome.
Following the story of ‘Ted’s Big Day Out‘ last month in which a 72-year-old teddy was rejuvenated, the Cafe was pleased to offer the same treatment for a few more bears, including a tiny one less than 10cm tall who was also over 50 years old.
Lindfield Repair Cafe is next open for your repairs at 10am on Saturday 5th April. They will be hosting Greener Lindfield who will be running a ‘Pot, Seed and Plant Swap’ to help villagers share plants and seeds with their neighbours and keep stacks of plant pots out of landfill. Bring along your spare pots, plants or seeds and take home something for yourself.
In the Kids’ Room Greener Lindfield will be helping kids plant their own sunflower seeds to take home.
Founder of Lindfield Repair Cafe, Trevor Carpenter says: "Community initiatives like Greener Lindfield are fantastic partners for the Cafe because of the values we share: sustainability, keeping unwanted items out of landfill and saving people money. Each month we host a community initiative in our lounge area and give kids the opportunity to learn new skills at our children's table. We are excited to welcome Greener Lindfield to our April Cafe.”
Lindfield Repair Cafe also offers woodwork repairs for items such as small furniture, antiques and wooden boxes. In fact, anything wooden that you can carry in.
*How to Basically, who run DIY courses locally, have also recently started to run Ofqual regulated, nationally recognised First Aid Courses instructed by Dave Critchley who is an ex-paramedic. For more information email [email protected]
More Volunteers Urgently Needed
The Repair Cafe is looking for more volunteers who enjoy working with children and could help with activities in the Kids’ Room (alongside parental/carer supervision). Founder Trevor Carpenter says ‘One of our most important aims is to help kids understand the concept of repairing and to become our next generation of repairers’.
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Lindfield Repair Cafe is also proud to offer computer advice:
They don’t carry spares, so physical repairs aren’t usually practical, and the aim is not to compete with local professional services, but they can help with many technical issues that may be making you think about replacing your device prematurely. Don’t forget the power supply!
Forthcoming events:
Saturday 6th April
Saturday 4th May
Saturday 8th June (a week later to avoid clashing with Lindfield Village Day)
Saturday 6th July
There is no repair cafe in August while the volunteers take a well-earned break.
Lindfield Repair Cafe is open on the first Saturday of the month at the
United Reformed Church, 52 High Street, Lindfield, from 10am to 1pm.
(On bank holiday weekends the date will be moved to the second Saturday of the month).
Please check our website/social media pages for the latest updates (details below).
Please note that the Repair Cafe cannot guarantee that they will be able to repair all items brought in, but they will always have a go if possible! Spare parts for repairs are not supplied so if you need a new zip or bulb fitted it may be worth purchasing one before you come along!
There is a collection point for Haywards Heath Food Bank at the venue so visitors may drop off donations when they visit.
Website: https://www.lindfieldrepaircafe.org/
@lindfieldrepaircafe @lindfieldrepaircafe
by Nicola Coughlin
