Repair Services

Are you tired of throwing away broken items that could easily be repaired? At the MMCV Repair Café and Bradgate Arms Repair Café, we believe in giving your items a second life!

At our Repair Cafés, we’re proud to offer a wide range of repair services free of charge, thanks to the generosity and skills of our volunteer repairers. Whether it’s fixing household items, electrical devices, bikes, or clothing, we’re here to help you bring your broken items back to life at no cost to you.

What’s Included

  • Labour-Free Repairs: All the repairs provided by our volunteers are completely free. You won’t have to pay for their time or expertise, whether it’s troubleshooting an appliance, sharpening a blade, or mending your favourite garment.

  • On-the-Spot Fixes: Many issues can be resolved on-site with minor adjustments, repairs, or maintenance—all done for free during your visit to the Repair Café.

Parts Not Included

While we strive to complete most repairs without the need for replacement parts, sometimes new parts are essential to restore an item’s full functionality. In these cases:

  • Cost of Parts: If your repair requires new parts—such as a replacement zipper, bike tire, or electronic component—the cost of these parts is not covered by the free service. You will be responsible for purchasing any necessary parts.

  • Transparent Advice: Our repairers will always inform you if a part needs to be replaced and will offer advice on where to source affordable, quality parts. In some cases, we may be able to help you find and order the part, but the cost will be your responsibility.

  • No Hidden Fees: Aside from the cost of parts, there are no hidden fees or charges. Our repair service remains free, and you can choose whether to proceed with purchasing the required parts.

How It Works

  1. Bring Your Item: Visit one of our Repair Cafés with your broken or damaged item.

  2. Free Diagnosis: Our volunteer repairers will assess the issue and let you know if any parts need replacing.

  3. Parts Cost: If parts are needed, we’ll provide guidance on what’s required and where to get it, but the cost of the part itself will be yours to cover.

  4. Free Labour: Once the part is sourced, we’ll carry out the repair for free, ensuring your item is back in working order.

Textiles

Do you have clothing or textiles in need of repair? Don’t toss them out just yet! At our Repair Cafés, our talented volunteer seamstress is here to provide free textile repair services—giving your garments a new lease on life.

Whether it’s a torn seam, missing button, or a broken zipper, our skilled seamstress can help restore your clothing and other fabric items to their former glory. With years of experience, they can tackle a wide range of textile issues including:

Clothing: Ripped seams, holes, loose buttons, and zippers

Home Textiles: Curtains, cushions, and more

Bags & Accessories: Small repairs on bags, scarves, etc.

Alterations: Basic adjustments for better fit or comfort

Electricals

Got a faulty appliance or electronic device? Don’t rush to replace it just yet! Our skilled volunteer repairers are here to provide free electrical repair services at our Repair Cafés. From toasters to laptops, we can help bring your electronics back to life.

Our team of experienced volunteers can handle a variety of small electrical and electronic repairs, including:

Household Appliances: Toasters, kettles, lamps, fans, and more

Electronics: Laptops, phones, tablets, and small gadgets

Audio Equipment: Speakers, radios, and headphones

Power Tools: Drills, sanders, and other tools

Toys & Gadgets: Battery-operated toys and devices

Jewellery

Do you have a broken bracelet or a favourite necklace that needs fixing? At our Repair Cafés, we offer free jewellery repair services to help you restore your cherished pieces. Our skilled volunteer repairers can handle a wide variety of repairs, so you can keep wearing your favourite jewellery for years to come.

Our volunteer jewellery repair experts specialize in handling minor repairs on a wide range of items, including:

Necklaces: Broken chains, faulty clasps, tangled links

Bracelets: Damaged links, broken charms, or loose fittings

Earrings: Replacing missing backs, fixing bent or broken posts

Rings: Adjustments, small repairs on broken or bent bands

Brooches & Pins: Reattaching or securing clasps

Costume Jewellery: Restoring in expensive yet sentimental items

Blade Sharpening

Is your kitchen knife too dull to slice? Or maybe your garden shears aren't cutting like they used to? At our Repair Cafés, we offer free blade sharpening services to restore your tools and knives to their sharpest edge. Our skilled volunteer repairers are here to help you extend the life of your bladed tools.

Our volunteers provide expert sharpening for a variety of blades, including:

Kitchen Knives: Chef’s knives, paring knives, serrated knives, and more

Scissors: Household, fabric, and crafting scissors

Garden Tools: Pruners, shears, hedge trimmers, and more

Bladed Tools: Axes, chisels, and small hand tools

IT and Software

Struggling with a slow computer or software issues? Need help installing or updating programs? At our Repair Cafés, we offer free IT and software support from our knowledgeable volunteer repairers. Whether it’s troubleshooting your laptop or solving software glitches, we can help.

Our volunteer IT experts provide assistance with a wide range of technology and software-related issues, including:

Troubleshooting: Slow performance, crashing, or boot-up issues

Software Installation: Installing or updating applications, operating systems, and drivers

Virus Removal & Security: Scanning for malware, removing viruses, and improving cybersecurity

Device Setup: Setting up new laptops, tablets, or smartphones

Email & Internet Issues: Fixing email configuration, Wi-Fi problems, and internet connectivity

Data Backup & Recovery: Helping you back up important files and recover lost data when possible

Basic IT Support: Teaching you how to use software, navigate your devices, or set up accounts

General and Mechanical

Do you have a broken household item or a mechanical tool that’s seen better days? At our Repair Cafés, we provide free general and mechanical repair services to help you fix what’s broken and give your items a new lease on life. Our experienced volunteer repairers are ready to tackle a wide range of general and mechanical repairs.

Our team of volunteer repairers is skilled in fixing various general and mechanical items, including:

Household Items: Small home appliances, lamps, fans, and more

Mechanical Tools: Hand tools, power tools, and garden equipment

Furniture: Minor repairs to chairs, tables, and other small pieces

Bicycles: Tune-ups, flat tires, chain adjustments, and brake repairs

Toys & Gadgets: Mechanical toys, gears, and other small devices

DIY Projects: Help with basic DIY mechanical repairs around the home

Bicycle Maintenance

B-Buddies CIC are passionate about keeping you safe and your bike in top condition. That’s why they offer free bike health checks and minor repairs at our Repair Cafés, ensuring your bike is road-ready and in great shape—all at no cost.

Their mechanic will thoroughly inspect your bike and provide minor repairs where needed, including:

Brake Adjustments: Ensure your brakes are functioning properly for safety and control

Tire & Tube Repairs: Fix flat tires, check air pressure, and repair or replace punctured tubes

Chain & Gear Maintenance: Clean, oil, and adjust your chain and gears for smooth riding

Basic Safety Check: Assess overall bike condition, checking for loose bolts, worn parts, and potential issues.

While many bike issues can be resolved with a quick tune-up, some may require more extensive work. If the mechanic identifies larger problems during your free health check—such as worn-out components, broken parts, or significant frame issues— they will provide a non-obligation quote for the necessary repairs. You can then decide whether you’d like to proceed, with no pressure or commitment.