A Visit to Oxshott Repair Café

A faulty toaster. A favourite jumper with a broken zip. A bicycle in need of some TLC. Most of us have items at home that need repairing but often end up forgotten, replaced or even thrown away.

That's where Oxshott Repair Café comes in.

Following our recent feature on Elmbridge's repair cafés, we paid a visit to Oxshott Repair Café to see how local volunteers are helping residents save money, reduce waste and breathe new life into everyday items.

A warm welcome awaits

Based at St Andrew's Church on Oakshade Road, Oxshott KT22 0LE, the Repair Café is much more than a place to fix broken belongings; it's a thriving community hub where sustainability and community spirit go hand in hand.

We were welcomed by Diana Thornton and the team from Oxshott Net Zero, a local organisation dedicated to helping residents take practical steps towards living more sustainably. 

The Repair Café itself is just one part of the offer. During our visit, residents were also enjoying recently introduced initiatives:

• A plant swap
• A jigsaw puzzle exchange
• A baby and toddler's clothing swap (this will run in July and be replaced by craft items in September)

It's easy to see the appeal. Why buy a new puzzle when you can swap one you've already completed? Why throw away children's clothes that have been quickly outgrown when another family could make use of them? The plant swap was equally popular, helping keen gardeners share surplus seedlings and discover new additions for their gardens.

These initiatives help give unwanted items a new home while bringing people together and reducing waste.

Meet the repair experts

As visitors arrive, a friendly team of volunteers - including Ann and Maggie - helps assess each item and directs it to the most suitable repair station. Each item is weighed to estimate the carbon footprint saved by repairing rather than disposing of it.

Inside the hall, skilled volunteers from all walks of life generously donate their time, knowledge and tools to help residents repair items they might otherwise struggle to fix themselves.

One of those volunteers is Andrew, who specialises in bicycle repairs and maintenance while also sharpening garden tools. Whether it's keeping a bike roadworthy or restoring a well-used pair of secateurs, his expertise is invaluable.

Nearby, Rob was busy tackling gardening tools and electrical repairs. We watched as faulty appliances were carefully examined and diagnosed. If a repair isn't possible on the day, volunteers can often advise where to source replacement parts or what steps to take next.

Repair Cafés are part of a global movement promoting repair over replacement. Information about repairs is recorded, helping identify common faults and encouraging manufacturers to make products easier to repair in the future.

From music boxes to sewing machines

One of the most fascinating things about the Repair Café is the sheer variety of items that come through the door.

During our visit, volunteer Ian fixed a small appliance for the second time, after having fixed it successfully the first time and kept it going for quite a while. Ian also does basic soldering and can fix costume – base metal – jewellery and cufflinks.

Volunteer Gerald successfully repaired an overwound music box mechanism. What might have seemed beyond repair to most people was quickly restored thanks to his specialist knowledge and a keen eye for intricate machinery.

Across the hall, Kishmer, Helen, Adrienne and Jenny from the sewing team were equally busy. From replacing zips and repairing clothing to fixing curtains and outdoor cushions, there seemed to be no shortage of sewing expertise on offer. Volunteers brought a wide range of skills, including darning socks, mending garments and even crochet.

What stood out was the collaborative atmosphere. Volunteers shared ideas, offered advice and chatted with residents while carrying out repairs, creating a welcoming and relaxed environment.

More than just repairs

One of the most striking aspects of the Repair Café is the sense of community.

Volunteers are honest about what can and cannot be repaired, and there is no pressure or expectation. If visitors are pleased with a repair, they are welcome to leave a donation to support the café’s work.

For those waiting for repairs, or who simply came in for a visit, there is a café area (supported by Danes Hill School) serving refreshments and giving people the chance to relax, meet others and enjoy a chat. It is clear that the Repair Café is as much about connecting people as it is about fixing broken items.

Small actions, big impact

Every successful repair helps prevent perfectly usable items from ending up in landfill. It also reduces the demand for new products and the environmental impact associated with manufacturing them.

But perhaps most importantly, Repair Cafés remind us that many things can be repaired rather than replaced.

We left feeling inspired by the dedication, skill and generosity of the volunteers who give up their time to help others and reduce waste in our community. We even came away with a sedum plant from the swap table!

Whether you have something in need of repair, want to meet like-minded residents or are simply curious to see what goes on, Oxshott Repair Café is well worth a visit.

The Café runs from 10am to 12.30pm every third Saturday of the month (excluding August and December). The next one is on Saturday 18 July.

Find out more about Oxshott Repair Café and the wider work of Oxshott Net Zero, and discover how you can get involved in building a more sustainable Elmbridge.

Find out about the other Repair Cafés in Elmbridge.