Help Fund Kidbrooke Repair Café — Keeping Useful Things in Use

I started Kidbrooke Repair Café in March 2025 after visiting several repair cafés across London and realising there was no similar service available in my local area.

For over a year, I have been running free repair sessions at Kidbrooke Community Hub, where local residents can bring broken household items — such as lamps, kettles, clothes, toys, and small electronics — and learn how to repair them instead of throwing them away.

Website: rc.jsonsingh.com

Every repair helps households save money, reduces waste, and builds practical skills while bringing neighbours together through a shared passion for fixing things.

Some of our notable repairs so far include:

As the range and complexity of repairs continues to grow, we need additional tools, safety equipment, insurance support, and materials to help us run higher-quality repair sessions and reach more people.

So far, Kidbrooke Repair Café has received:

I have now created this small fund to help Kidbrooke Repair Café grow sustainably.

What your support will fund

We need the right tools and equipment to run safe, reliable, and effective repair sessions:

* PAT Tester (portable appliance safety tester) — £350

* Soldering kit (temperature-controlled iron + stand + tips) — £150

* Desoldering kit (pump + wick + hot-air tools) — £150

* Fume extraction fan (benchtop extractor) — £180

* Wire strippers & cutters (self-adjusting + flush) — £60

* Illuminated magnifier / stereo microscope — £220

* Helping hands (third-hand tool / PCB holder) — £50

* Outside sign (weatherproof A-frame/wall sign) — £150

* Isopropyl alcohol (1L electronics grade) — £25

* Assorted fuses pack — £25

* Screwdrivers (precision + long shaft sets) — £60

* Heat gun (variable temperature) — £90

* Silicone mat (heat-resistant work surface) — £35

* Masks for soldering fumes (P2/FFP2 + filters) — £40

* Focused LED bench lamps ×2 — £100

* Heavy-duty extension cords (4-way ×3) — £75

* Safety glasses (multi-pack) — £35

* Heat-shrink tubing kit (assorted) — £30

* Sewing kit (threads, needles, patches, scissors) — £150

* Admin & contingency (bank fees, insurance top-up, essential costs) — £175

Total fundraising target: £2,000

Building repair skills in the community

Alongside repair sessions, I have collected a few donated broken items that can be used for learning workshops.

Future workshops could include:

The aim is not just to repair items, but to share knowledge and help people become more confident repairing things themselves.

How you can help

Kidbrooke Repair Café is run by volunteers and hosted free of charge in the café area of Kidbrooke Community Hub.

I am always looking for people who are passionate about repair, sustainability, electronics, sewing, crafts, or simply helping their community.

If you can support us financially, your donation will directly help purchase tools and resources needed to keep the Repair Café running.

If you cannot donate, you can still help by:

Together, we can reduce waste, save useful items from landfill, and share the joy of fixing things.