A Library of Things

Canon Andrew Gough, Vicar of Holy Trinity in Weymouth, says:

"Holy Trinity Church has been actively engaging on how to support people in the community of Weymouth as we come out of lockdown – conscious that there is a lot of deprivation, loneliness, struggling families and business’ in the parish. Similarly it is our intention to reorder part of the church as a hub for debt advice, wholeness and welcome being and support for business’ who are struggling.

"As word has got around, we were approached by some local people within our community who were starting up an new support business, the Weyshare 'Library of Things' project. It has been started by a 23 year-old local man, Connor Hansford, and encourages people to reduce waste and save money by loaning and borrowing items.

"Because the newly-formed business had little funding and was looking for premises, the church offered to support the new business by letting out part of the church crypt as a place to drop off and store all kinds of things from pressure washers, fridges, bikes, tools – all kinds of things! Things that some people could not afford to purchase but could borrow and return after use.

"People can take part in the scheme by signing up to the project's website, which then gives access to an online catalogue. Items can be borrowed for seven days, and can be dropped off and collected.

"Libraries of things enable communities all over the world to borrow all kinds of donated goods and other items for a fraction of what they would cost to buy, saving people money and reducing waste. We at Holy Trinity church are proud to support this initiative and hope in the future to be able to use our church space, not only for worship, but to serve God in other people more effectively.

"Connor has since re-engaged with his faith and is discerning whether he has a vocation to become a priest. He is a member of Holy Trinity church and hopes to get more involved in the months ahead."