How does the Repair Café work?

We welcome you to bring a portable item that is broken or in disrepair to us on the last Friday of every month, where our team of fantastic volunteers will help you to mend your household item if we can.

Items must be clean, or out volunteers reserve the right to refuse to look at them.

Come to our reception desk and you will be given a form to fill in so you can tell us about your items and what sort of repair is needed. Our receptionists will allocate your repair to a category e.g. electrical, general, textile or mechanical, and you will be called when it’s your turn. Meanwhile you can relax with tea/coffee and biscuits.

If you have more than one item to be repaired, you will need to fill in a separate form for the second one when your first repair has been carried out.

You can fill in the registration form in advance online here.

What do I do when my item is being repaired?

We ask you to sit down with the repairer and explain what needs repairing, including details about how the problem developed. You’ll get to watch your repair being done and perhaps learn a new skill in the process.

Sometimes, you will be invited, and even needed, to help with the repair e.g. holding things in place when they have been glued. This means that we don’t accept repairs that are dropped off and collected later.

What should I do when my repair is finished?

Please bring your completed repair form to our reception desk. If the item couldn’t be repaired you will need to take it away with you. We don’t dispose of unwanted items.

All repairs are free but we welcome donations to keep the service going.

What happens if my repair can’t be finished during the session?

Some things can’t be repaired. Your repairer will let you know if this is the case. They will also tell you if you need spare parts so you can bring your repair back to another session, and help you order them.

Are there facilities for disabled and wheelchair users?

St Mary’s is fully accessible. More details of accessibility can be found here.

Please note the only items we won’t consider for repair are microwaves and items powered by gas, petrol or diesel – for health and safety reasons.

Repair Café Dates

Friday 28th November 2025 (10:00-13:00) (Please note: this session will be held at Hope Community Methodist Church on Barnby Gate, due to the ongoing repair and conservation works at St Mary Magdalene)

Friday 30th January 2026 (10:00-13:00)

Friday 27th February 2026 (10:00-13:00)

Friday 27th March 2026 (10:00-13:00)

Friday 24th April 2026 (10:00-13:00)

Friday 29th May 2026 (10:00-13:00)

Friday 26th June 2026 (10:00-13:00)

Friday 31st July 2026 (10:00-13:00)

Friday 28th August 2026 (10:00-13:00)

Friday 25th September 2026 (10:00-13:00)

Friday 30th October 2026 (10:00-13:00)

Friday 27th November 2026 (10:00-13:00)