The Repair Café culture: Peterborough’s quiet revolution in fixing, sharing, and belonging

In a world where so much ends up in the bin, a group of Peterborough volunteers is quietly proving that not everything broken needs to be thrown away. Every month, the Peterborough Repair Café throws open its doors, inviting anyone with a faulty food mixer, a torn jacket, or a dull pair of scissors to come and give their much-loved belongings a second chance at life.

“We run monthly sessions where we connect volunteers who have skills at fixing things with people who have something broken,” explained Rebecca Neal — known to most as Becca — one of the café’s co-founders. “We’re not talking about your fridge or your car, but something portable that you can carry in — things like irons, food mixers, kitchen knives, scissors, textiles, or even small bits of garden furniture.”

For Becca, who has been running the project with her partner Andy for over three years, the concept is simple — but the impact is huge.

“Our three mantras are sustainability, community, and sharing skills,” she said. “We want to keep things out of landfill and save people money. But it’s also about creating a welcoming space — somewhere people can have a cuppa, meet others, and learn something new. Even if you don’t have anything to repair, you can come along, chat, and see what’s going on.”

A Repair Movement That’s Fixing More Than Just Things

Since it began in 2021, the Peterborough Repair Café has helped give new life to over 1,000 household items. Volunteers — from electricians to sewers to knife-sharpening enthusiasts — donate their time and expertise to help others learn how to make do and mend.

Becca laughed as she recalled one particularly touching moment.
“We once fixed an upside-down cooking pot that had been a woman’s wedding gift 30 years ago,” she said. “Her husband had passed away, and she couldn’t use it anymore. When it was finally working again, she was nearly in tears — she was so happy. Moments like that make it all worthwhile.”

But the Repair Café isn’t just about repairs — it’s about education too. “Some people bring in coffee machines that have stopped working, and it’s simply because they haven’t descaled them properly,” Becca said. “Others come in with sewing machines they think are broken, but they just need a bit of help learning how to use them. So, it’s as much about sharing skills as it is about fixing things.”

The Heart of a Community

Each month, the Repair Café pops up in a different part of the city — from Railworld Wildlife Haven to WestRaven Community Garden, Gladstone Park Community Centre, Yaxley’s Owen Pooley Hall, and Whittlesey.

“We try to move around so everyone can reach us,” said Becca. “Not everyone drives, so by hosting sessions in different places, we make it easier for people across the city to take part.”

And while the repairs are free, the Café is sustained by donations.
“We’re not a charity, just a community organisation,” Becca explained. “Any donations we receive go straight back into what we do — things like food and refreshments, basic repair materials like fuses, tape, and batteries, or small contributions to the venues that kindly host us for free.”

That local support, Becca said, is vital. “We’ve been so lucky — all our venues give us space for free, and in return, we try to give back when we can, whether that’s buying something useful for them or donating a small amount. It’s a lovely partnership.”

More Hands Behind the Scenes

Now, three years on, the Repair Café has reached a crucial turning point.
Becca and Andy, who have carried much of the organisational load, are ready to take a step back — and they’re calling for new committee members to help keep the wheels turning.

“We’ve got a fantastic team of volunteers who show up on the day and do the fixing,” Becca said. “But behind the scenes, there’s a lot of admin — booking venues, answering emails, managing the Facebook page, organising equipment. That’s what we need help with now.”

She emphasised that you don’t have to be a fixer to get involved.
“I can’t fix anything myself! I’m the secretary — I do the admin, social media, and the meet-and-greet. So, if you’ve got good organisational or communication skills, or just a bit of initiative, we’d love to have you.”

Committee members are asked to attend the monthly Repair Café sessions (the first Saturday of each month, 11am–3pm), plus two short online evening meetings each month, and spend an hour or two in between on follow-up tasks.

“It’s not a huge commitment,” Becca said, “but it does make a massive difference. We need people who are reliable and can take initiative — people who can see what needs to be done and just get on with it. That’s the kind of energy that keeps us going.”

A Positive Force in Challenging Times

For Becca, the Repair Café represents something more than just mended kettles and patched-up jeans.

“In a world that can sometimes feel full of negativity and division, this is such a positive thing to be part of,” she said. “Even if someone’s item can’t be fixed, they still leave happy — because they’ve learned something, they’ve had a nice chat, and they’ve felt part of something good.”

Her words are echoed by Cllr Richard Strangward, a long-time supporter of the project.
“The Peterborough Repair Café is an amazing example of community spirit in action,” he said. “Volunteers come together to help repair clothes, bikes, and small appliances — saving items from landfill and giving them a new lease on life.”

He added: “It’s not just about fixing things; it’s about sharing skills, cutting waste, and bringing people together. Every repaired item means less waste, more knowledge, and stronger community connections. I’m proud to support the Peterborough Repair Café and the dedicated volunteers who make it happen. Together, we’re proving that small actions can make a big difference for our planet and our city.”

How to Get Involved

If you’ve ever fancied learning how to fix a plug, patch a pocket, or simply want to be part of a warm, welcoming, and sustainable project, Becca’s advice is simple: just come along.

“The first step is to come and see what it’s all about,” she said. “We’re a really friendly bunch, and it’s such a rewarding way to spend a Saturday. You don’t have to bring anything to fix — just bring yourself.”

You can find full details, including booking links, on their Facebook page @PeterboroughRepairCafeUK, or by emailing peterborough.repair.cafe@gmail.com.

As Becca summed it up, “We don’t just fix things — we fix connections, we fix habits, and we fix hope. And that’s something our city needs as much as ever.”

Peterborough Repair Café at a Glance

• What: Monthly community repair sessions for small household items
• When: First Saturday of every month, 11am–3pm
• Where: Rotating venues across Peterborough (see Facebook for updates)
• Mission: Sustainability, Community, Sharing Skills
• Contact : peterborough.repair.cafe@gmail.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/peterboroughrepaircafeuk