The Share Shed needs propping up

The Share Shed began in April 2017. Since then Mirella Ferraz and Mark Jefferies and a team of helpers have been and helping people to fulfil their ideas, plans and dreams by giving them access to over 350 useful items at low cost. From tools and gardening equipment to household appliances and camping gear, the Share Shed lends people what they need, when they need it, reducing waste and promoting sustainable living. Since starting in 2017, they say over 2,700 people in South Devon have borrowed over 5,000 items, saving them more than £390,000.

 

The Project and the Challenge: 

Many people cannot afford, or have no place to store, the tools and equipment they need for projects they want to do. By lending them what they need, at low cost, The Share Shed promotes the idea of  helping people do what they want, while saving them money and reducing our impact on the planet. This helps build stronger, and more active and resilient communities. There’s no reason why one drill can’t work for 20 or 50 people for example. This mitigates the environmental impact of our consumption – and its emissions. Additionally, it lowers the cost of living by making essential items accessible to all, regardless of income level.

Initially running from an awkwardly inaccessble awkward High Street office, two years later they secured a grant of over £48,000 to set up the shed on wheels regularly visiting towns from Totnes to Kingsbridge.

The next funding goal and how it will be spent:

They’re hoping to raise £30,000 by a deadline of 2nd June. To make the Share Shed more resilient over the next year.

The Aviva Community Fund  are matching money raised by the crowdfunder on the basis of “promoting healthy, thriving communities by preventing, preparing for and protecting against the impacts of climate change”

This will allow them to:

• Continue our weekly service, in rural Devon (UK), to Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Dartington, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, South Brent and Totnes
• Expand our skillshare programme 
• Pilot a Repair Café in two towns
• Host a ShareFest
• Support other groups to set up similar projects
• Purchase new equipment
• Strengthen publicity and community outreach
• Improve our website

Specifically, the funds will be used to cover operational costs, acquire more items that are in high demand, strengthen publicity, and host events that support the wellbeing of the community and the planet while increasing our trading income, and making our project more resilient.

 

You can support the crowdfunder here: Share Shed Crowdfunder