In September 2023, as part of Secondhand September, St Margaret’s House held a Repair Cafe to see what the interest might be for a regular offer in Tower Hamlets. 67 people attended and we fixed bikes, laptops, electrical items and clothing. Following the success, we approached local organisations to create a rolling offer for local people.

St. Margaret’s House, the Bromley by Bow Centre and The Royal Foundation of St. Katharine are delighted to be collaborating to host a series of monthly Repair Cafe across Tower Hamlets from January 2024 onwards.

Repair Cafes are all about repairing things together and giving them a new lease of life after a simple repair.

Skilled volunteers will help you repair a range of items including:

  • Clothes mending and alterations - volunteers will guide you through mending skills such as how to sew on a missing or loose button, hemming tricks and tips for alterations, and how to repair small holes.

  • Small electrical appliances - volunteers will look at small household electrical appliances and either help you mend it, or recommend what can be done with it.

  • IT equipment - bring in any items that don't work as well as they used to, or any IT issues you're facing, and volunteers will do their best to help resolve the issue or recommend solutions.

If you would like to volunteer with us we would love your help. Please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you shortly.

Next Repair Cafe:

Where: St Margaret's House, E2 9PL

When: Saturday 27th April, 10am - 1 pm

Tickets: https://www.stmargaretshouse.org.uk/events/repair-cafe (free to attend but booking helps us know how many people we can expect)

Upcoming Repair Cafes:

29th June: Royal Foundation of St Katharine/The Yurt and Community Hub, E14 8DS

27th July: Bromley by Bow Centre, E3 3BT

28th September: St Margaret's House, E2 9PL

26th October: Royal Foundation of St Katharine/The Yurt and Community Hub, E14 8DS

30th November: Bromley by Bow Centre, E3 3BT

Please note there are no Repair Cafes in May, August or December due to public holidays.