05/09/2026
๐ง๐ A wonderful visit to the Maidstone Repair Cafรฉ today!
Today (5th September), I had the pleasure of visiting the Maidstone Repair Cafรฉ and meeting Duncan and Sally. It was particularly special for me, as I have had the privilege of working with both of them to help build a strong community link with our Gurkha veterans.
I was delighted to see so many Gurkha veterans benefiting from the Repair Cafรฉ โ not only by having items repaired, but also by sharing skills, meeting others and being part of a welcoming and inclusive community. ๐ฌ๐ง๐ณ๐ตโค๏ธ
I also had the opportunity to meet Richard Coleman, along with a colleague from Maidstone Borough Council who are working on Creative Maidstone and the Maidstone Healthy Alliance Partnership.
Richard is also doing important work to help protect our endangered Turtle Doves and Nightingales, particularly by supporting efforts to create and protect suitable habitats in the Medway Gap and wider Kent. ๐๏ธ๐ถ๐ฟ It was inspiring to hear about this work and the importance of communities coming together to protect our local wildlife and biodiversity.
Maidstone Repair Cafe is about so much more than fixing broken items. It is about bringing people together, reducing waste, saving money, sharing skills and protecting our planet and environment. ๐ฑโป๏ธ
I would love to see the message of the Repair Cafรฉ reaching all our wider communities across Maidstone. Before throwing something away, ask yourself: โCan it be repaired?โ There may be someone who can help and in the process, we can reduce waste and build stronger community connections.
From repairing everyday items to protecting our endangered wildlife, these initiatives demonstrate what can be achieved when people, communities and organisations work together. โค๏ธ
A huge thank you to all the volunteers who give their time, knowledge and skills to make these fantastic initiatives possible. ๐
Letโs repair, reuse, protect and reconnect โ together we can make a difference! ๐๐
