Mark Potter

Technology & General Repairs Volunteer

What he does:

Mark is one of our tech experts, here to help you get the most out of your IT and household gadgets. From drones and clocks to kitchen gear, Mark loves a good challenge and is always up for solving unusual problems. He's also great at breaking down technical info so it actually makes sense.

Top tip:

“Ask the question! Keep asking until you’re comfortable with the explanation.”

Don’t be afraid to speak up—tech shouldn’t be intimidating.

Fun fact:

Mark once tackled a drone, a clock, a roti bread skillet, and a steamer pan all in one session. He’s always ready for the unexpected.

Why he volunteers:

Mark believes that even when something can’t be fixed, offering solid advice and keeping people safe is still a win.

Tony Mellor

Electrical Repairs Volunteer

What he does:

Tony is one of our electrical fixers and has been a regular since day one. He’s worked on everything from DVD players to a keytar, and even a bingo number generator for a local care home. Whether it’s a common appliance or something unusual, Tony’s always up for the challenge.

Top tip:

Before you toss that small appliance, bring it in—many things can be fixed with just a little TLC.

Fun fact:

Tony once brought a keytar (yes, the 80s synth-guitar hybrid!) back to life. Rock on.

Why he volunteers:

Tony wants to give appliances a second chance—and keep them out of landfill whenever possible. For him, repair is about respecting both the item and its owner. “Each discarded item has a story,” he says. “Let’s not end it before we have to.”

Phil and Sarah Hughes

Front of House Volunteers

What they do:

Sarah and Phil are the welcoming team at the repair café—signing in visitors, logging items, and matching them with the right fixer. They also triage unusual items to save people waiting unnecessarily. Sarah occasionally joins the sewing table, while Phil brings his NHS admin skills to keep things organised.

Top tip:

“If it’s already broken, you might as well try to fix it—what harm can you do?”

Fun fact:

Sarah first came in with a vintage Singer sewing machine. She and Phil loved the vibe so much, they joined the team—and now proudly call themselves part-Womble.

Why they volunteer:

They believe in repairing over replacing, and love being part of a community that learns, shares, and helps keep stuff out of landfill.

Graham Law

Electrical Repairs Volunteer

What he does:

You’ll find Graham on the Electrical Desk at both our Mountsorrel and Bradgate Arms events. Always up for a challenge (and a laugh), he’s happy to look at anything from toasters and DAB radios to sewing machines, power tools, and “all sorts of oddball things.” If it plugs in—or winds up—he’s likely to give it a go.

Top tip:

“If wobbling it makes it work, it’s probably a loose connection—and we’ve got a good shot at fixing it.”

Fun fact:

Graham used to lead technical services at the National Space Centre. So yes, he’s fully qualified to handle your cassette deck and your satellite dish.

Why he volunteers:

He enjoys the puzzle of figuring out faults, and he also supports Remap—an organisation that builds custom equipment for people with disabilities.

Marilyn Cunningham

Textile Repairs Volunteer

What she does:

Marilyn is part of our sewing team at the Mountsorrel Repair Café. Armed with a machine that can sew through three layers of leather, she’s ready to tackle all kinds of fabric fixes—from hemming trousers and repairing waistbands to stitching up cushions and giving well-loved teddies a new lease of life.

Top tip:

You don’t need to be an expert to sew—there are loads of easy-to-follow tutorials on YouTube and TikTok. And tools like Supermend make simple repairs even easier!

Fun fact:

Marilyn’s current passion is making Barbie clothes—tiny garments with big personality!

Why she volunteers:

She’s always learning new sewing tricks and loves helping others keep cherished items in use. She and her husband Nick joined after hearing about the group through a family connection—and haven’t looked back.

Ian Shonk

General Repairs Volunteer

What he does:

Ian runs the Miscellaneous Desk at our Mountsorrel Repair Café—where “if it’s broken, we want to see it!” From animated toys and scooters to picture frames and even a cast bronze crab, Ian tackles the odd and unusual with creativity, care, and a good dose of humour. No two items are ever the same, and that’s exactly how he likes it.

Top tip:

“If you’re going to bin it anyway, taking the cover off first isn’t going to lose you anything!”

Fun fact:

Ian also runs Mr Shonk’s Wand Emporium and tells tall tales at the local library with his storytelling sidekick, Tigger.

Why he volunteers:

He loves the challenge of one-of-a-kind repairs and the chance to inspire others to “have a go.” He also supports the local community through volunteering and his role with the Mountsorrel Community Team.

Nicholas and Janet Smith

Sewing Machine & Textile Repair Volunteers

What they do:

Nick specialises in sewing machine repairs—fixing everything from broken foot pedals to tension issues—while Janet brings her seamstress skills to the sewing table. Together, they’ve tackled issues like stiff mechanisms, worn spool winders, missing screws, and more. Janet also runs final test stitches to check everything is in top shape.

Top tip:

If you’re bringing a sewing machine, bring the manual too—different makes vary a lot, and it can really help.

Fun fact:

Janet once made master patterns for industrial production, and Nick’s also known for helping with blade sharpening when needed.

Why they volunteer:

They love helping people extend the life of well-loved tools and textiles. When they’re not with us, they volunteer with groups like Transition Loughborough and the Charnwood Eco Hub—and have even supported repair cafés as far away as Wales.

Phil Bass

Technology Support Volunteer

What he does:

Phil helps with a wide range of everyday IT issues—like slow laptops, Wi-Fi dropouts, and confusing pop-up messages. He’s a regular at our Mountsorrel events, where he takes the time to guide visitors through problems in a calm, easy-to-understand way. Whether it's setting up devices, explaining apps, or simply helping people feel less intimidated by tech, Phil’s your guy.

Top tip:

“Google is your friend—but be careful with the Delete button!”

Fun fact:

Phil also volunteers with Charnwood U3A, a group that provides learning and social opportunities for people in their ‘third age’—typically after retirement.

Why he volunteers:

Phil enjoys helping people build confidence with their tech and believes that fixing things should be as much about understanding as it is about solutions. He’s always happy to share a tip, a laugh, and a fix.

Ray Birch

Technology Support Volunteer

What he does:

Ray brings years of experience from his time as an IT support officer at Loughborough University. At our Mountsorrel and Bradgate Arms events, he helps visitors with issues like poor performance, confusing settings, and mystery error messages. Recently, he helped revitalise an old Windows laptop by installing Linux—giving it a whole new life.

Top tip:

“There’s almost always an Undo option—Ctrl+Z on Windows, Cmd+Z on a Mac!”

Fun fact:

Ray has a soft spot for tricky cases—and has been known to go the extra mile when something’s got potential to be saved with a little clever thinking.

Why he volunteers:

Ray enjoys working with people one-on-one and sharing knowledge in a relaxed, no-pressure environment. For him, solving tech puzzles is satisfying—but helping someone understand it is even better.

Andy Stockley

Blade Sharpening Volunteer

What he does:

Andy sharpens kitchen knives, scissors, garden tools, and even lawnmower blades—helping to keep your tools in safe, working condition. You’ll spot him at both our Mountsorrel and Bradgate Arms events, where he brings care, precision, and a friendly chat to the sharpening station. Nick occasionally steps in to support when Andy’s unavailable, along with the occasional helping hand from our committee members.

Top tip:

A sharp knife is a safe knife—if you see light reflecting off the edge, it’s probably too blunt!

Fun fact:

Andy’s a talented chorister and sometimes treats us to a tune while he sharpens. Music and metal—what a combo.

Why he volunteers:

Andy enjoys the hands-on satisfaction of restoring everyday tools and helping people get more life out of the things they already own. For him, it’s about usefulness, safety, and community spirit.