The lost art of make do and mend
When did you last mend something? When you’re faced with a clock that stops working, a hole in your shoe or a tear in your favourite of clothing, most of us would probably give up, throw them away and buy something new!
Visit the next Repair Café on Tuesday 25 November, 13:00 - 16:00, at the Green Room, Warwick Students' Union.
That’s where the Repair Café comes in, a project that supports our aim of creating a more circular campus.
Filled with fixers from across the Warwick community, we’ve got experts in sewing, electronics, furniture and even plant care. The Repair Café meets regularly to help restore your item for free. The scheme aims to keep items out of landfill and perhaps pass on a traditional craft or two. Bring something along and see if they can get it repaired and working again.
Last time around a staff member came to the repair shop with a broken alarm clock. She might have considered replacing it, were it not for the fact that her brother had bought her the clock for her study bedroom. It had been waking her up for the last 20 years, throughout her studies and into work, reminding her of family every morning. The electrical experts got to work, and she was delighted when they were able to bring it back to life.
Another sentimental item brought in was a CD player, a childhood gift for one of our students that had kept her entertained into adult life. Despite the best efforts of our experts, it was unable to be repaired. That was the only item bought in that defeated our team that day.
Another staff member brought in a clock she’d found in a charity shop and fallen in love with. She couldn’t work out how to get the clock to work, and after a bit of friendly investigation it was diagnosed to be in full working order, but in need of a new battery. There was also a desk drawer with a broken lock, which again the team repaired straight away.
Not everyone had planned to come to the Repair Shop. One student hobbled in after the heel on her vintage boots had broken on the way past the SU. That was soon repaired, and she gratefully walked away while another came in with her favourite bag that needed a bit of a re-stich.
Even if you don't have anything that needs repairing, the Repair Cafe is open to everyone. This friendly service has craft activities and hot drinks and welcomes everyone interested in finding out more about how to ‘make do and mend.’ Come along and learn a new skill, ask the experts a question or watch the repairs happening.
So, the next time you get a hole in your favourite jeans or your alarm clock has stopped waking you up, head over to the Repair Café and see if they can give them a new lease of life.
Whether you have an item that needs fixing or would like to volunteer your time, pop along to next week's Repair Cafe at the Green Room, Warwick Students' Union on Tuesday 25 November between 13:00 - 16:00.