Repair Café

The Repair Cafe is hosted by volunteers on the second Sunday of each month. 10am – 12pm

Feedback

I was pleasantly impressed by the range of skills and knowledge that was available. This coupled with the bubbly friendly staff that both greeted me and guided me to the person who in turn was to undertake my repair work. Well done to the whole team and a big thank you. – Tim Connor

Welcome to the Repair Café which is hosted by volunteers on the 2nd Sunday of every month.

There are generally a sewing machinist, hand sewer, wood repairer, electrician, knife sharpener, a person good with various types of glue for fixing toys, pottery and ceramics and bike mechanics. It all depends on who is available, so keep an eye on our social media or our event page during the week of the event, where we share the skills available.

A special thank you to the amazing volunteers who make this event possible.

FAQ

Why “café”?

Because it’s not just about fixing things – it’s about connection. We’ll have the kettle on and some nibbles ready for you to enjoy while chatting with our repairers.

Does it cost?

Pay what you can – koha is always appreciated, but no one will be turned away. If a repair involves any costs, our volunteers will talk you through it first.

What does the koha go towards?

Great question! It helps cover the costs of running the Repair Café – including food and refreshments, marketing, and some repair supplies.

Our repairers are incredibly generous and generally bring their own tools, skills and resources, which we’re very grateful for! But we don’t want to see them too out of pocket!

Ultimately, any koha received goes back into the Eco Centre (Sustainable South Canterbury Trust), helping us keep the Repair Café running and reach more people in our community.

How can I get involved?
We are always looking for more volunteers to help host (non repair role) and those that can bring their skills to the session. You do not have to be available every month – just help when you can. We would love to hear from you!