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Dominic Chinea, 38, has discovered that the therapeutic nature of crafting can be lifesaving for those battling poor mental health
Star of The Repair Shop Dominic Chinea is never happier than when he’s in his workshop, tinkering away with his latest project. But while restoration work is his livelihood, Dominic, 38, has discovered that the therapeutic nature of crafting can be lifesaving for those battling poor mental health.
“With craft and mental health there’s a real big link,” Dominic tells us. “Mental health is a big thing and craft can help anybody. Crafting doesn’t have to be a career. There are so many people whose lives have been affected and saved and changed by doing a craft.”
As well as being a much-loved face on The Repair Shop, Dominic also has his own BBC show called Make It At Market, which sees amateur craftspeople learn how to profit from their hobbies. Talking to the contributors on his show has opened Dominic’s eyes about how vital crafting can be for people going through challenging times.
“Lots of people on Make It At Market have been through horrendous things in their lives, then they picked up the craft as a way of dealing with what they’ve gone through, to calm down and relax. It has literally saved their lives,” explains Dominic. “They’re not trying to make millions of pounds from it, it’s just about doing and making something.”
Dominic studied graphic design at degree level but feared ending up in an office. Instead, his Saturday job working in a classic VW garage opened up a different career path for him.
Now, even at the weekends, he can be found in his workshop. “I cannot think of anything better than a Sunday afternoon just being in the workshop pottering around,” says Dominic. “It’s not work. I just enjoy being there. And it’s a nice quiet space where you could just be yourself.”
One of the reasons Dominic prefers working with his hands, is because he suffers with dyslexia – just like Repair Shop host Jay Blades. But he hasn’t let it hold him back, and instead he plays to his strengths. “I’ve got a graphic design degree,” says Dominic. “I like designing and typography and photography but I very quickly realised I’m quite dyslexic. I’m not very good at academic stuff and sitting behind a desk staring at a computer.”
Now Dominic is hoping to inspire more people to pick up a new skill by appearing at Goodwood Revival in September, which celebrates classic cars and vintage fashion. Dominic will be in the Revive & Thrive area helping people to learn crafts such as block printing, leather work or even millinery.
“The craft side is my kind of happy place,” says Dominic. “It’s the one place in the whole event where there’s an actual chance to roll your sleeves up, get stuck in and have a go at something that you have never tried before. I’m all for standing looking at old cars, and admiring the craftsmanship of the cars, but the workshop area is a chance to actually have a go.
“What we’re trying to do with the Revive & Thrive area is inspire people to think twice about sustainability before they throw things away. With a little bit of knowledge or advice from our craftspeople you could repurpose it. Inspiring people is the key for me.”
Dominic is famous for his metalwork and vehicle restoration but his love of crafting knows no bounds – he also knits because he finds it therapeutic. In fact, he made his Repair Shop co-star Will Kirk a grey scarf for Christmas.
“I won’t say I’m a proficient knitter,” smiles Dominic, “but there was something very therapeutic about knitting that scarf. I did really quite enjoy it. I tend to spend my life covered in grease, dirt and rust and it was really nice in the evening to sit and knit Will a scarf. He’s still got it now all these years later.”
Making Christmas presents is a passion of Dominic’s and he has ambitions to land a new TV show – this time about festive crafts.
He says, “I’d love to do a craft-based Christmas show. I’d love to do glass-blowing, making glass baubles…Whether it’s Advent calendars or tree decorations or snow scenes on windows… it’s a creative time of year! What better time to make someone a present instead of just buying it?!”
Dominic is married to TV producer Maria Domican, but it’s his Spanish Water Dog Wendy who is always by his side in his workshop.
“She’s the best,” says Dominic. “Wendy’s about five-and-a-half now. She comes everywhere with me. She comes to the barn and in the workshop. I first got her and I was still doing set design. I picked her up and she was tiny and the next day she came straight to the set for a fashion shoot we were doing. She got snuggly with all the models; she was in the studio from day one.”
Wendy even received a knitted jumper from The Repair Shop’s Kirsten Ramsay one Christmas. “She comes with me doing whatever we’re doing, she loves the barn. She will chase hares all day long. In last year’s Christmas Special Kirsten made her a Christmas jumper and she made her debut on TV!”
At Goodwood Revival, Dominic will be dressing up in vintage fashion; he’s currently on the hunt for a pair of 1950s wide-leg trousers that will be perfect for swing dancing. However, he admits dancing isn’t his strong suit – so he would happily consider a turn on Strictly Come Dancing to brush up his skills. Though he admits he might be more interested in the sets and the costumes than the fancy footwork.
Dominic laughs, “The costumes, the sets and the style would be great – but the dancing might be the weak point! I wouldn’t say no if they asked me!”
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