Community

At Rebuild, community support remains a core part of what we do. By giving materials for free to community projects, we help local groups bring projects to life that might otherwise not be possible. By providing materials to these projects, we help stretch tight budgets, encourage people to think about reuse and reduce waste.

Since 2021, we’ve supported over 250 community projects across Cumbria and South West Scotland, benefitting thousands of people. This work sits at the heart of the circular economy in action, keeping good materials in use, reducing waste and supporting communities to do more with what’s already available. And it fits well with the social value goals of the contractors we work with to support communities in which they work.

Read about Materials for Projects

The Carlisle Tool Library & Community Space

In 2023, we launched our Tool Library in Carlisle, offering affordable tool loans to community members. We have had over 1000 tool loans, saving an estimated £12,000 on new tool purchases while reducing the need for new products. Our community workspace provides a shared space for learning and skill development, with tools available for DIY projects, maintenance, and creative endeavours, and a range of skills workshops throughout the year.

The community space hosts a range of events from workshops and craft fayres to talks and presentations. It is available to be booked out for events and hosted visits that include a presentation from the team and a tour of the facilities can be arranged. We welcome a wide range of groups to plan a visit to come and learn more about sustainability and reuse.

Powered by Volunteers

Our volunteers are the backbone of Rebuild, whether it’s helping in the shop, one off projects, maintaining tools or helping deliver materials. We’re proud to offer volunteering opportunities through social prescribing routes, work experience and support for young people working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

We also offer fantastic corporate volunteer days. Either for individuals who want to use their corporate volunteer day doing something a bit different or for the whole team to come and take on a project together. There’s always lots of satisfying jobs to do and it is a good way to learn a bit about reuse, circular economy and community impact.

Volunteer placements range in duration from one off corporate volunteering days, to a week’s work experience, to a 6 week placement for people building confidence to return to work to long term volunteers who are here every week.

Every volunteer plays a vital role in making our community stronger, and we couldn’t do it without them.

Get involved

Every donation, purchase, volunteer hour and partnership helps us keep good materials in use and make them available to people who need them. It’s a simple idea, but it creates real benefits for local communities while reducing waste.

If you’d like to support what we do, whether by donating materials, volunteering your time or working with us, we’d love to hear from you.

Want to get involved? Get in touch.

Get in Touch