New Repair Cafe opens in Heathfield every second Saturday each month

Fix it, don’t ditch it – discover the Heathfield & Horam Repair Café

If you’ve got a broken item at home that you’d rather repair than throw away, the Heathfield & Horam Repair Café could be just what you need. Friendly, welcoming and run entirely by volunteers, the Repair Café helps keep repairable items out of landfill while bringing the community together.

A Repair Café is a place where you can bring along broken or damaged items to see if they can be fixed. There’s no charge for repairs, although donations are very welcome to help cover running costs. Cash is accepted, and there’s also a card reader available.

Skilled volunteers, practical repairs

All repairs are carried out by experienced volunteer repairers who are passionate about saving useful items from unnecessary waste. Many are retired professionals whose skills have been honed over decades of hands-on work.

The range of repairs available is wide and varied. Help is offered with computers and electrical items, bicycles, knife sharpening, sewing and darning, sewing machine check-ups, clocks, broken ceramics, small furniture repairs and minor mechanical problems.

Not every item can be repaired on the day. If a fix is likely to take too long, the repairer may offer advice on where else to take it, or in some cases suggest taking the item home and returning it to the Café the following month. This is always at the discretion of the repairer. White goods including microwaves cannot be repaired at the cafe.

Tea, cake and community spirit

While you’re waiting, you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and sample some delicious homemade cakes. Many visitors come just to soak up the friendly atmosphere and see repairs happening in real time.

The Repair Café meets every second Saturday of the month (except August), from 9am to 12 noon. The next session will be held on the second Saturday in February, 14 February at the new Youth Hub in Heathfield High Street, next to the Co-op.

There is plenty of free parking nearby at the Co-op or in the car park behind the Fire Station. Although on-site parking is limited, there is space to drop off items if needed, along with two disabled bays.

Supporting local causes

Thanks to generous donations, the Repair Café was able to support local causes last year, donating surplus funds to the Hailsham Foodbank and the Horam Community Garden — a great example of community action making a real difference.

Whether you have something that needs fixing, want to reduce waste, or simply fancy a cuppa and a slice of cake, you’ll be warmly welcomed.

Heathfield & Horam Repair Café
Email: repaircafeheathfieldandhoram@outlook.com

Why not come along and see what can be repaired before it ends up in landfill?