Bath-based charity Share and Repair is celebrating its fifth birthday on Friday 22 April by throwing open the doors of its shop in George Street for a party with a difference.
The award-winning charity will be offering tours, demos and cake at the Share and Repair shop from 10am-4pm. But instead of the usual party favours, visitors will be able to try out the project’s Library of Things for free, borrowing one of 500+ useful items. Bath Library of Things gives people access to everything from power tools to pressure washers, highchairs to gazebos and everything you need for a good party.
Founder Lorna Montgomery said, “It’s hard to believe it’s five years since our first event – now our home-grown charity has become a fixture on the high street with our Share and Repair Shop!
“This is the perfect chance for people who’ve heard about Share and Repair but never got around to visiting to come along for a slice of cake, to find out how we can help save them money and help the planet, and to try out our Library of Things at no cost.
“It’s been a tough few years for our charity and our whole community. With concern growing about the cost-of-living crisis and climate change, we can help people get what they need and keep their precious things working at less cost and lower environmental impact.
“Community sharing and repairing is a win for people and the planet, so it’s perfect our anniversary falls on World Earth Day. Everyone is welcome to pop in to our birthday party at our shop in George Street for a fun and practical way to make a difference.
“In the past five years, we’ve brought hundreds of people together for repair events, fixed thousands of items, loaned out useful things so people didn’t have to buy them, rehomed toys and household appliances, all thanks to our brilliant bunch of volunteers and all our supporters. Thanks to them, we are looking forward to our next five years of making a practical and positive difference in our community when our services are urgently needed.”
On Friday 22 April, Share and Repair’s handy volunteers will be giving tours and information about all of Share and Repair’s projects including Repair Cafés, HomeKIT and HOW TO Workshops. The main focus of the open day will be a chance to try Bath Library of Things which was launched in 2019 and now has around 500 items to borrow for DIY, garden, home, outdoors and events. The charity delivers to borrowers across Bath using its orange e-bike, ‘The Flying Satsuma’. The most popular items borrowed so far this year include the professional carpet cleaner, sewing machines, chocolate fountain, pressure washers, gazebos and garden strimmers. The full catalogue is available to browse at bathlibraryofthings.org.uk