The Share Shed
Find out more about our sharing project – the UK’s first travelling Library of Things!
What is the Share Shed?
Our Share Shed was set up by the Network of Wellbeing, with help from the National Lottery Community Fund, in 2017. It helps people to borrow from over 350 items that they need or want but only use occasionally – such as tools, carpet cleaners, camping, cooking and gardening equipment, sewing machines, and much more! This provides people with access to things they want to use, saves them storage space in their homes, money on buying items, reduces emissions, reduces waste and creates a local community of sharing and borrowing.
In 2019, the Network of Wellbeing secured further funding to enable The Share Shed to go mobile. It now serves Totnes, Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Dartington, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge and South Brent (check its weekly route here). Membership is by donation (from £5 to £50 per year), while items can be borrowed from £0.50 per week. Please bring a form of identification with your name and address on your first visit. Members can even reserve items online from the Share Shed website.
We are happy to advise people who wish to set up libraries of things and other sharing activities elsewhere and have produced Setting up and Sustaining a Library of Things to help them.
How the Share Shed improves wellbeing
The Share Shed improves people’s wellbeing by:
– giving them greater control over their lives;
– helping them to learn new skills and carry out practical projects;
– saving them money;
– reducing the need to store rarely used items in their homes;
– reducing consumption, carbon emissions and waste;
– connecting them with their local community through the project and the sharing and repairing events we run
By making borrowing, sharing and repairing easier, the Share Shed supports a more resilient, connected and sustainable way of life which ripples out from individuals to the whole community and the environment.
Is there a repair café near you?
Communities benefit hugely from sharing events, libraries of things and repair cafe’s. That’s why so many are popping up all over the UK. We love to support people who are interested in joining a repair café or sharing event. or setting something up themselves ! If there isn’t already one near you why don’t you set one up?
Find a Library of Things near you!
There are over 100 local sharing projects and Libraries of Things across the UK, where people can borrow household items, DIY tools, camping gear and so much more instead of buying them! These spaces help to save money, clear storage space at home, and save thousands of tons of Co2 per year. Take a look at our UK Wellbeing Directory and see if you have a Library of things near you.
UK Wellbeing Directory
Can’t Find a Library of Things Near You?
We know the incredible social, financial and environmental benefits of having a Share Library locally to you, so if you can’t find one near where you live – perhaps you could set one up!
We have produced a handy how-to guide to give you all the best tips, ideas and practical advice to help you on our journey to setting up a sharing and repairing project in your local area.
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