Newham’s first Lending Hub has opened, offering affordable access to tools and equipment to help residents save money, reduce waste and donate unwanted items.
The first Lending Hub has opened in Newham, giving residents a new way to save money, reduce waste and access useful items without the need to buy them – and you can donate your own good-quality, unwanted tools and equipment.
The Abbey Hub Borrow Bank has now opened its doors for the first time, through a partnership supported by Newham Council and the East London Waste Authority (ELWA).
The new service allows residents to borrow a wide range of items including DIY and decorating tools, gardening equipment and household appliances providing affordable access to equipment that is often expensive to purchase and only used occasionally.
Councillor Susan Masters, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Environment, said: “I am delighted that our first lending hub has opened to help local people save money.
“Households can spend hundreds of pounds on DIY tools and equipment that they only use a few times. By introducing lending hubs across the borough, we can provide affordable access to these items keeping valuable resources in use for much longer.
“I would encourage everyone in the borough to have a hunt around to see if there are good-quality, working items, they don’t use anymore that could be donated as part of the lending hub network.
“We are expanding the network over the next few months to ensure this innovative ‘lend, don’t buy’ model can be accessed by as many of our communities as possible.”
An opening celebration event for The Abbey Hub took place at the site of charity Ambition Aspire Achieve on Sunday 27 September attracting residents who came to learn more about the service and explore the range of over 100 items available to borrow.
The Abbey Hub is the first of three planned Lending Hubs due to open in Newham over the coming months, with additional hubs planned in Stratford library, with collection available from all Newham libraries, with the final hub opening across Forest Gate and the Royal Docks, in a partnership between One Newham and ReinsTate.
The hubs will create a borough-wide network, making it easier for residents across the borough, to access items when they need them.
Jonny Boux, Chief Executive of Ambition Aspire Achieve, said: "We’re delighted to be part of the Lending Hub Network. Opening a Hub at Abbey Hub, gives us a fantastic opportunity to widen our reach into the community surrounding the venue, many of whom we already engage and support through our work with local children, young people and families.
"The Abbey Hub Borrow Bank feels like a natural extension of our community offer, helping local residents and families access useful items at low cost, reduce waste and make better use of shared resources”.
The hubs will be a sustainable community service that charges a small annual membership fee and modest borrowing charge that will support their long-term future.
Residents are being encouraged to donate good-quality items they no longer need. Requested items include folding tables and chairs, gazebos, carpet cleaners, step ladders, sanders, gardening equipment and outdoor games.
