A message from those launching the Repair Café.

Not least because of the current pandemic, setting up a complex organisation like the Repair Café is taking longer than we would have either liked or hoped. Even now, uncertainty about the eventual severity of the omicron variant and any further restrictions that may have to be introduced means we are chary about calling the first full meeting. Particularly since we espouse the Repair Café ethos of demonstrating and sharing skills, it can be essentially at times a heads-together operation, so caution seems appropriate. Nevertheless, we are in the process of deciding when to set a date for a first repairing meeting and keeping fingers crossed.

There is an up-side to the delay – we have more time to plan. We are putting some focus onto “matching supply with demand”. Firstly we intend to get a fuller idea of the skills that our score and more of repairer volunteers have among them. For the other side of the coin, we should like to hear from you (by comment to this post or preferably by email to repaircafe@greatmissendenpc.org.uk) what items you would be likely to bring in for repair. (We have, for example, recently learned that knife and tool sharpening can be popular – something we had not anticipated.)

It is important for us, and recognised as important by the whole Repair Café community, to have a good and balanced relationship with local professional service providers. Thus we will try to restrict ourselves to tasks that could not economically be taken to local commercial services, and to signpost to the professionals for jobs for which we do not have skills, equipment or time to tackle. We intent to have a database of such services. The directory on the PVA website will give it a good start, but we invite proposals for additions to our lists. Indications of services offered any typical changes will be very useful.

We are in need of a treasurer. The job will not involve handling huge amounts of money, and is not expected to be onerous or take up huge amounts of time. The existing committee could take on this aspect of our affairs, but it would be right and proper for a separate and independent person to undertake this role. This we are appealing for a volunteer. Should you be willing please contact us on  repaircafe@greatmissendenpc.co.uk

We should also value opinions as to what would be good days and times for holding repairing events.