Making It: How Love, Kindness and Community Helped Me Repair My Life
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- Create Date：2022-01-28 00:51:21
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Jay Blades
- ISBN：1529059216
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Summary
An inspirational memoir from Jay Blades， host of the hit show The Repair Shop
Making It is an inspirational memoir about beating the odds and turning things around even when it all seems hopeless。 In this book， Jay Blades shares the details of his life， from his childhood growing up sheltered and innocent on a council estate in Hackney， to his adolescence when he was introduced to violent racism at secondary school， to being brutalized by police as a teen， to finally becoming a beloved star of the hit primetime show The Repair Shop。
Jay reflects on strength， weakness and what it means to be a man。 He questions the boundaries society places on male vulnerability and how letting himself be nurtured helped him flourish into the person he is today。 An expert at giving a second life to cherished items， Jay's positivity， pragmatism and kindness shine through these pages and show that with care and love， anything can be mended。
Making It is an inspirational memoir about beating the odds and turning things around even when it all seems hopeless。 In this book， Jay Blades shares the details of his life， from his childhood growing up sheltered and innocent on a council estate in Hackney， to his adolescence when he was introduced to violent racism at secondary school， to being brutalized by police as a teen， to finally becoming a beloved star of the hit primetime show The Repair Shop。
Jay reflects on strength， weakness and what it means to be a man。 He questions the boundaries society places on male vulnerability and how letting himself be nurtured helped him flourish into the person he is today。 An expert at giving a second life to cherished items， Jay's positivity， pragmatism and kindness shine through these pages and show that with care and love， anything can be mended。
Reviews
Margaret
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An excellent read， very interesting。 A lot of highs and lows that takes the reader along with the narrative。
Jim Coleman
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Repaired， possibly notThis was a fascinating account of the authors life so far from his origins in a dysfunctional family， absentee father and hard working mum to drugs and his eventual celebrity status。 From my back ground， housing estate， White， police problems， violence but I was kept on the straight and narrow by my parents and a local community that cared。 Our police problems came from the fact that we were from the housing estate， second class citizens and we'd get a go along rather than Repaired， possibly notThis was a fascinating account of the authors life so far from his origins in a dysfunctional family， absentee father and hard working mum to drugs and his eventual celebrity status。 From my back ground， housing estate， White， police problems， violence but I was kept on the straight and narrow by my parents and a local community that cared。 Our police problems came from the fact that we were from the housing estate， second class citizens and we'd get a go along rather than being charged， must have saved them doing extra office work。 In his recollections Jay places all of these type of problems down to racism， my experience tells me not everything is boiled to being racism。 He correctly lambasted his absentee father for abandoning his mother then repeats that mistake twice in his own adult experience。 Most married folk go through rough patches but having kids help you realise what family bonding is all about you don't runaway because you feel trapped。 In his lifetime he has marred six lives because of selfishness。 He keeps in touch with his children but it does not remove the charge that he too has been an absentee dad as all kids require 24/7 attention。 His selfishness is endorsed at the end of his book when he says he is intent on retiring to Barbados， he makes no statement regarding his partner or what would then be abandoned family。Possible I'm being harsh but Jay has littered his reminiscences with excuses without properly facing his own responsibility。 The lad has done well but not as well as he should have done。 。。。more
Christine Dobson
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An easy read， the enthusiastic style reflecting the personality we see on television。 I can see why he was recently awarded an MBE。
Susan Dyson
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If this was fiction it would seem too unlikely！ He has had an extraordinary life which he has shared without self pity。 I’d recommend it， inspiring。
Rubina Savage
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I'm a fan， like many， of the Repair Shop。 So I was eager to read about its likable presenter Jay Blades。 I wasn't disappointed， his biography is an excellent read。 He hides nothing about his difficult early life and the obstacles he overcame， or the fact that he was very 'naughty'， his words。His is lifelong support of young people of all races who are failing in every way is commendable。 His compassion for others comes over in the tv programme。However， he acquired a 2:1 honours degree in crimino I'm a fan， like many， of the Repair Shop。 So I was eager to read about its likable presenter Jay Blades。 I wasn't disappointed， his biography is an excellent read。 He hides nothing about his difficult early life and the obstacles he overcame， or the fact that he was very 'naughty'， his words。His is lifelong support of young people of all races who are failing in every way is commendable。 His compassion for others comes over in the tv programme。However， he acquired a 2:1 honours degree in criminology and philosophy but how did he manage to get into university without qualifications and being dyslexic？ He does not explain this。I 。。。more
Anne Lomas
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Inspirational story
Judy
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Loved。 Absolutely loved it。 As an unashamed fan of The Repair Shop whenever it is screened here in Australia， I was intrigued to have the chance to learn a bit about the personality of the host， who really is the one who gives the show that “spark”。 What a life journey so far。 And what honest reflecting。 To quote……“so， what’s it all about Jay？Ultimately， I’ve learned， all you can do is be good。 Put goodness into the universe and karma will give it back to you。 That’s not a bad rule to live by。 I Loved。 Absolutely loved it。 As an unashamed fan of The Repair Shop whenever it is screened here in Australia， I was intrigued to have the chance to learn a bit about the personality of the host， who really is the one who gives the show that “spark”。 What a life journey so far。 And what honest reflecting。 To quote……“so， what’s it all about Jay？Ultimately， I’ve learned， all you can do is be good。 Put goodness into the universe and karma will give it back to you。 That’s not a bad rule to live by。 It happened to me when I fell apart， and the kindness of near strangers helped to put me back together again。 This memoir is about Making It， and I wouldn’t have made it to where I am without those people’s help…。。” 。。。more
Malcolm Maclean
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Amazing readWhat a fascinating book to read， what a man an inspiration to so many。 I just could not put it down。
Jennifer Singh
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I listened on audio book。 I enjoyed it and the narrator， although not Jay， does sound like him。
Jennie
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The Repair Shop was a true lifeline for me （and many others） during the bleakest days of quarantine。 It’s such a sweet， easy going and rewarding show。 It was a soothing balm when I desperately needed an escape from my endlessly whirling mind （and the horrifying news cycle） and couldn’t continue consuming the gut wrenching， emotionally shredding content I generally gravitate towards。 I saw a meme a while back that said Netflix needed a programming category entitled “People Being Nice to Each Othe The Repair Shop was a true lifeline for me （and many others） during the bleakest days of quarantine。 It’s such a sweet， easy going and rewarding show。 It was a soothing balm when I desperately needed an escape from my endlessly whirling mind （and the horrifying news cycle） and couldn’t continue consuming the gut wrenching， emotionally shredding content I generally gravitate towards。 I saw a meme a while back that said Netflix needed a programming category entitled “People Being Nice to Each Other Over Low Stakes Situations。” This a perfect choice。 （British Bake Off and Queer Eye were also on this list）。 Anyways， I have a big crush on Jay Blades， the charming and dapper host of The Repair Shop and I was intrigued to hear more about how he got into restoration。 I was surprised to hear about Jay’s lifelong struggle with dyslexia and illiteracy。 He also talks very openly about his experiences with racism， violence， police brutality， toxic masculinity and generational trauma。 His path to personal and professional success has been fraught and winding - he ultimately fell into restoration through his activism to educate and empower marginalized youth。 And throughout these pages his charisma， optimism and humor shine brightly even when addressing the darkest topics。 I loved spending time with Jay and I was grateful for his candor。 Also I was amused to hear that he’s always been quite the ladies man。 No kidding！ Swoon。 🥰 This is a quick read and an important one - also the British slang cracked me。 One of my favorites of the year！ 。。。more
Don Goforth
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Best book on how to live！I， like most people， have appreciated Jay and the Repair Shop。 The show is one of the best that's ever been on TV。 Has Jay has shared his story from start to finish， I have gotten to know why I like him and the show so much。 He's a real person telling a story that needs to be heard。 His compassion for others is phenomenal。 His ability to communicate with folks like me is a wonderful gift that he uses for us all。Read this book， open your mind and open your heart， then you Best book on how to live！I， like most people， have appreciated Jay and the Repair Shop。 The show is one of the best that's ever been on TV。 Has Jay has shared his story from start to finish， I have gotten to know why I like him and the show so much。 He's a real person telling a story that needs to be heard。 His compassion for others is phenomenal。 His ability to communicate with folks like me is a wonderful gift that he uses for us all。Read this book， open your mind and open your heart， then you will come to an understanding of how we ought to live too。 。。。more
Mani
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I’m a big fan of the BBC tv series The Repair Shop， and have liked Jay Blades from the very first episode he appeared in and when I found out Jay had a book coming out I couldn’t wait to read it。 I was lucky enough to download be able download the audiobook from my library as soon as it came out。 This was a really interesting read， I was surprised with some of the stuff that Jay shared about his life。 I would never have guessed about the things he went through。 Although I loved this autobiograph I’m a big fan of the BBC tv series The Repair Shop， and have liked Jay Blades from the very first episode he appeared in and when I found out Jay had a book coming out I couldn’t wait to read it。 I was lucky enough to download be able download the audiobook from my library as soon as it came out。 This was a really interesting read， I was surprised with some of the stuff that Jay shared about his life。 I would never have guessed about the things he went through。 Although I loved this autobiography something about the way it was written didn’t quiet sit right with me。 I can’t quiet put my finger on it but think it might be the fact that it’s been written by a ghost writer。 All in all， a great read。 Definitely recommend if you enjoy reading autobiographies。 。。。more
Angela Bevan
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Wow， what an inspirational story Having seen Jay on the different shows， I was curious to read this book。 He comes across as a cheeky chappie on the programmes I've seen him on。 This book has given me a real insight into his life and character。 I wish jom all the best and hope he remains repaired。 Wow， what an inspirational story Having seen Jay on the different shows， I was curious to read this book。 He comes across as a cheeky chappie on the programmes I've seen him on。 This book has given me a real insight into his life and character。 I wish jom all the best and hope he remains repaired。 。。。more
Mark
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Reading this is such a positive experience。
Libbie George
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I'm a huge Repair Shop fan， so of course I wanted to read all about Jay。 He's so wholesome on the show- like the black uncle you wished you'd have。 I was extremely surprised at his story。 And wow- what a story。 I appreciated his honesty， actually。 Because I never would have guessed he had so much baggage。 It take a lot of courage to admit your faults， especially in such a public arena。 But I found myself rooting for him。 I was disappointed he couldn't keep a relationship together- because I real I'm a huge Repair Shop fan， so of course I wanted to read all about Jay。 He's so wholesome on the show- like the black uncle you wished you'd have。 I was extremely surprised at his story。 And wow- what a story。 I appreciated his honesty， actually。 Because I never would have guessed he had so much baggage。 It take a lot of courage to admit your faults， especially in such a public arena。 But I found myself rooting for him。 I was disappointed he couldn't keep a relationship together- because I really WANTED that for him。 When he was working with at risk youth and then his son ended up just like the kids he was trying to rescue。 When he was with his wife for 15 years before his breakdown。 That was hard for me to read。 I wanted more for him， why？ I think because I fell into admiration with him from a 30 minute TV show， and I wanted him to be that wholesome person the show shows him as。 I think he's an amazing work in progress。 Just to be so raw and unfiltered about your flaws。。。bravo， Mr。 Blades。 。。。more
Nicola Wyllie
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I loved this book and the further I got into it I found it harder to put down！ Searingly honest， made me both laugh， cry and feel ashamed of the systemic racism it highlights。 It feels like Jay is sitting in the room telling you his story， his charisma shines through， so congratulations as well to Ian Gittins for capturing that voice。Ultimately it was about love， connection and community。 I ordered this book after hearing Jay speaking on the radio， he was so inspiring and the book doesn’t disapp I loved this book and the further I got into it I found it harder to put down！ Searingly honest， made me both laugh， cry and feel ashamed of the systemic racism it highlights。 It feels like Jay is sitting in the room telling you his story， his charisma shines through， so congratulations as well to Ian Gittins for capturing that voice。Ultimately it was about love， connection and community。 I ordered this book after hearing Jay speaking on the radio， he was so inspiring and the book doesn’t disappoint on that front。 Highly recommend。 。。。more
Yoly Marshall
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THE GOOD: Surprising， and InspiringTHE BAD: Painful to read about vents that happen decades ago when racism run rampant in many levels of the UK's society。PLOT: Blades’ memoir of his early life， education， stumbles， and career choices take us on his journey from innocence to awareness， racism， privilege， relationships to emerging as a transformative figure through his hard work， passion， and ability to talk to people but most importantly to listen to people， becoming an example that real change THE GOOD: Surprising， and InspiringTHE BAD: Painful to read about vents that happen decades ago when racism run rampant in many levels of the UK's society。PLOT: Blades’ memoir of his early life， education， stumbles， and career choices take us on his journey from innocence to awareness， racism， privilege， relationships to emerging as a transformative figure through his hard work， passion， and ability to talk to people but most importantly to listen to people， becoming an example that real change can happen to ordinary people。THOUGHTS: Read this book slowly。 Take the time to truly assimilate the personal journey of the phenomenal flawed human being who presents and carries the TV sensation" The Repair Shop" on his shoulder。His life was full of challenges， and from an early age， he learned what a being person of colour truly means in a world created to give advantage and favour white people。His upbringing， the lack of a fatherly figure in his life， his romantic choices， and his decisions to deal with bullies and institutionalized racism set the bar to create possibilities for a crime life。 Against the odds， though， he took these circumstances to grow and create change within the communities he worked and cared for。He is a furniture restorer， but most importantly， he has worked relentlessly to rescue those that find themselves in similar situations as he did。He learned the hard way that as human beings， men are also allowed to feel emotions and deserve to be in tune with their feelings and display them。This book is readable， accessible， and makes the reader feel they are chatting with a friend。Finding success when the odds for it to happen are against someone shows the true character， courage， and vulnerability needed to make it happen。Rate: 4 out of 5 。。。more
Alison Lingwood
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This is a lovely book to read。 For those who are familiar with Jay Blades from TV programmes such as 'Money for Nothing' and 'The Repair Shop' you can almost hear him narrating。His story is amazing and inspirational and he pulls no punches in detailing the highs and lows of his life。 This is the sort of book I could have read at one sitting， given time。 I was reluctant to put it down， and was sorry when I finished it。Well done Jay， you have overcome life's challenges and stayed grounded througho This is a lovely book to read。 For those who are familiar with Jay Blades from TV programmes such as 'Money for Nothing' and 'The Repair Shop' you can almost hear him narrating。His story is amazing and inspirational and he pulls no punches in detailing the highs and lows of his life。 This is the sort of book I could have read at one sitting， given time。 I was reluctant to put it down， and was sorry when I finished it。Well done Jay， you have overcome life's challenges and stayed grounded throughout。 Definitely a five-star read that would make a lovely gift 。。。more
brian phipps
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What a life！I loved this book， I've always been curious about how Jay got his start on the Repair Shop，and reading his lifestory has been very illuminating he certainly hasn't had it easy all power to him for overcoming his terrible difficulties， i wish him well he certainly deserves it。 What a life！I loved this book， I've always been curious about how Jay got his start on the Repair Shop，and reading his lifestory has been very illuminating he certainly hasn't had it easy all power to him for overcoming his terrible difficulties， i wish him well he certainly deserves it。 。。。more
Lynn
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Very interesting
Paul
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Add this to your to read listI didn’t really know what to expect when I purchased this book， all I will say i am pleased I did。 If you don’t read anything else in 2021， I recommend you read this。
Charles Gordon Lilley
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A good readI found the book engaging， insightful and entertaining， so a good combination and an easy read。 I can recommend it as worthwhile。
Bernice Baughen
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After seeing Jay on The One Show， I was keen on reading his book。 I was fortunate to bump into Jay at the Weald & Downland Living Museum a couple of weeks ago， he was very obliging and let me have a photo taken with him at a social distance。 What a friendly， chirpy man he is。 Bumping into him prompted me to download his book on my kindle， boy am I pleased I did。 I couldn't put my kindle down！！ What an eye opener it is。 No one should EVER experience what he did。 The book is a powerful， interestin After seeing Jay on The One Show， I was keen on reading his book。 I was fortunate to bump into Jay at the Weald & Downland Living Museum a couple of weeks ago， he was very obliging and let me have a photo taken with him at a social distance。 What a friendly， chirpy man he is。 Bumping into him prompted me to download his book on my kindle， boy am I pleased I did。 I couldn't put my kindle down！！ What an eye opener it is。 No one should EVER experience what he did。 The book is a powerful， interesting and heart breaking read。 I admire him， on how he turned his life around， and how he helped young people to improve their lives。How little did he know as a young lad that he was a bright， talented person 。。。more
Kate
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I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book！ Couldn’t put it down and what a life Jay has led！
Sarah Nickless
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A must read。
Terry
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Had no idea about Jay's background， but saw him on Repair Shop and thought 'Who is he？' Found out a lot about him and found it both surprising and very inspiring。 Had no idea about Jay's background， but saw him on Repair Shop and thought 'Who is he？' Found out a lot about him and found it both surprising and very inspiring。 。。。more
Sam Chamberlain
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WowWow what a read have been a fan for ages but since reading the book what a chap， BUT the book I couldn't put it down WowWow what a read have been a fan for ages but since reading the book what a chap， BUT the book I couldn't put it down 。。。more
Kalwinder Dhindsa
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A great read。 Loved watching Jay and all the programmes he has been involved in over the years。 Made it。
John
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This book really touched me。 I can resonate so much with Jay。 I watch the repair shop and never miss a episode。 Always in tears。 Thanks Jay。 Hope to meet you one day。
Chezida
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