Leader of the council, Councillor Stephen Simkins launched Wolverhampton Tool Library today with partners All Saints Action Network (ASAN) at their All Saints Road base.
Residents will be able to borrow anything from power drills and screwdrivers to larger items like carpet cleaners and electrical saws, as well as garden tools to make their homes look great inside and out.
There will be a nominal subscription fee to join the Wolverhampton Tool Library, but users can access up to 3 tools for 4 days at a time, potentially saving hundreds of pounds on buying new equipment to improve their homes.
To celebrate the launch, the first 50 residents to sign up will receive their annual membership free of charge.
ASAN’s talented volunteers have also made a number of wooden donation boxes, which will be located with City Homemakers partners across the city, for people to donate surplus tools they no longer require, but which are still in good working order.
Wolverhampton Tool Library is the second major scheme to be launched under the council’s City Homemakers initiative, after Too Good to Chuck was launched at the end of May to a great response from the public.
Residents using the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) at Shaw Road are now asked if they’ve brought anything along which is ‘Too Good to Chuck’ and the site has been inundated with items, which are going to local families in need.
City Homemakers is all about the council and a network of partners helping residents to take pride in their homes and be able to make small improvements no matter what their budgets.
It helps prevent waste and helps the environment, as well as helping vulnerable families who need furniture and practical ways of turning their houses into much loved homes. The initiative will not just help individuals but also help communities and the look and feel of the whole city in time.
Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins said at today’s launch: “This is another great scheme giving residents a chance to feel proud of where they live and improve their homes no matter how small their budget.
“Tools can be very expensive, especially if you end up using them once in a blue moon, the tool library makes home improvements a possibility for everyone in the city.
“ASAN has experience in running a similar scheme which was just for the All Saints area, but the new tool library is open to the whole city.
“We are committed to helping residents with the cost of living and this is just one of many ways we’re supporting people when they need us most.
“So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with them now and start transforming you home in time for Christmas without breaking the bank.”
Chair of All Saints Action Network (ASAN) and former Mayor of Wolverhampton, Sandra Samuels OBE, said: “ASAN is looking forward to resurrecting a scheme, which in the past just served the people of All Saints, but Wolverhampton Tool Library is now set to benefit the whole city, which has to be great news.
“We are absolutely delighted with the support received working in partnership with City Homemakers.
“Thank you to our staff and volunteers, led by Tool Library Project manager Omie Pickerill.”
See ASAN’s dedicated webpage for details of tools available and to sign up to the tool library.