Graig Y Rhacca Residents Get Handy!

Residents in Graig y Rhacca, Caerphilly are being encouraged to ‘get handy’ with the launch of a new Community Tool Library. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Community Tool Library provides residents with easy access to the tools needed to carry small household jobs. The tools are available to hire for a small fee on a daily or weekly basis; helping to make home improvements more affordable for those on lower incomes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The initiative has been launched by the Graig y Rhacca Resource Centre; a social enterprise which reinvests any money it generates back into the local community. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Hand tools were donated by Robert Price Builders’ Merchants; single source supply partner for Caerphilly County Borough Council’s £200 million Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) council home improvement programme. A grant from Viridor’s Community Fund enabled the Resource Centre to purchase power tools and lawn-mowing equipment for the library. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr David Poole, the council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, said “The council is committed to ensuring that the investment being made into WHQS is maximised and used to deliver wider benefits throughout the county borough. The tool library is an excellent example of how these community benefits are being delivered on the ground to help local people.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development, added “The Community Tool Library is an innovative project which will help residents on a practical level, by enabling them to improve their homes and gardens, as well as helping them gain new skills and the confidence to carry out small DIY projects. Being able to access the tools easily in their community and at a low cost will also help tackle issues of inequality and disadvantage.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Other projects currently delivered by Graig y Rhacca Resource Centre include a ‘Community Thrift Shop’ which allows residents to buy and sell unwanted household items and clothing. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Darren Pole, Chair of Graig y Rhacca Resource Centre, commented “On behalf of Graig y Rhacca Resource Centre, I’d like to thank everyone who’s supported us with the Community Tool Library. Without the support, knowledge and skills of the council, Robert Price and Viridor this project would not have been possible. The ongoing support of the Communities First team has also been vital in ensuring the continued success of the Resource Centre and projects such as this.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

David Pattison, Head of Public Sector Business at Robert Price, said “As the council’s supply partner, Robert Price are delighted to be able to contribute to such a worthwhile scheme. Making tools available at reduced prices removes barriers that may exist for tenants when looking to complete small improvements within their property. The availability of such a scheme will improve tenants’ morale and well-being, whilst assisting them in making their house a home.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​