Inverness tool library survey to measure support for city loan and workshop scheme
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
An Inverness start-up charity has launched a survey to find out if people in the city would like a tool library, and how it would be used.
Clachworks, a social enterprise set up to make DIY and practical skills more accessible to all, wants to improve the community's access to the correct tools without them having to break the bank to use them.
Over the coming months, the group hopes to open a community space to host the library as well as provide an open-access workshop space to develop skills in DIY.
Founder of Clachworks, Lauren Pyott said: "Clachworks is a new social enterprise in Inverness with an interest in making DIY and practical skills more accessible to all.
"One of their first projects will be to open a tool lending library in Inverness, where members can borrow unlimited tools to use at home before returning them for other people to use.
"This is different from a tool hire service which usually requires a cost per use of each tool.
She continued: "It’s been great to see a growing interest in DIY, ‘upcycling’ and gardening, but not everyone can afford all the tools they would need for such projects, or the space to store them.
"DIY shouldn’t be such a privileged activity.
"But there’s an environmental aspect to this too. It’s often said that the average power drill is only used for 13 minutes of its life.
"That’s not a great use of the earth’s resources, and ultimately not a very useful tool. Clachworks believes that by sharing tools amongst community members when they need them, it can make tools more affordable, but also reduce the overall consumption and waste of materials."
She said: "Clachworks plans to open a space in the coming months that will include a tool library, and open-access workshop space. We also hope to offer classes in traditional crafts and practical trades."
Ms Pyott said that once Clachworks has its permanent premises confirmed, it will be advertising for tool donations, including DIY, gardening, and craft, from people who no longer have a need for their own tools.
In the meantime, it is launching the first part of their community consultation to get feedback about the tool library and open-access workshop space.
To take the survey visit https://s.surveyplanet.com/qAIb34M0h
