Jay Blades

Though a recognisable face across much of the country today, Jay grew up a struggling young man in eighties East End London. His dyslexia proved severely challenging throughout his education, in addition to bullying and police brutality. He eventually became an upholsterer, fixing furniture and other complex household objects, and so cultivating the skills that would later secure him the role of welcoming people into the bbc’s repair workshop. Five years ago however, at the age of 40, Jay was homeless, and living out of his car. Now Jay shares his story about over coming adversity to get to where he his today, speaking about community, the importance of making and fixing things, resilience, and the art of asking for help in a society that pressures men to cope alone.