Episode 27 Chris Hellawell – Edinburgh Tool Library

Chris Hellawell is founder and director of Edinburgh Tool Library, which works like a lending library, sharing tools rather than books. Chris is passionate about the concept of sharing as a way to tackle the climate crisis, and also as a way to save money, and to build social connections in communities.  By sharing, everyone is richer.The Edinburgh Tool Library started out as a set of shelves in a spare room. Now it’s a city-wide organisation with multiple sites, including a tool maintenance depot, two wood workshops, a library and a police box.  The Library runs classes, youth programming, skills development for disadvantaged groups, and a volunteer programme transforming community spaces throughout the city. Podcast host Catherine Weetman is a circular economy business advisor, workshop facilitator, speaker and writer.  Her award-winning book, includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Catherine founded Rethink Global in 2013, to help businesses use circular, sustainable approaches to build a better business (and a better world).Stay in touch for free insights and updates...Read on for a summary of the podcast and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention. You can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for "circular economy" in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox... Links we mention in the episode: * Chris Hellawell on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hellawell-7284475a/ * Edinburgh Tool Library website https://edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk/ * Support and donations page https://edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk/support-us/ * Twitter – EdinToolLibrary * Facebook and Instagram – EdinburghToolLibrary * Volant Charitable Trust (set up by J K Rowling) https://www.volanttrust.org/ * MyTurn software for rental companies https://myturn.com * Katherine Trebeck https://katherinetrebeck.com/#about and her book, co-authored with Jeremy Williams: The Economics of Arrival https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-economics-of-arrival About Chris Hellawell Chris Hellawell is the founder and director of the UK's first tool library, where tools are shared rather than books.  Chris is passionate about the concept of sharing as a way to tackle the climate crisis, but also as a way to save money, and to build social connection in communities.  By sharing, everyone is richer.The Edinburgh Tool Library has developed from a set of shelves in a spare room, to a city-wide organisation with multiple sites, incorporating a tool maintenance depot, two wood workshops, a library and a police box.  They run classes, youth programming, skills development in disadvantaged groups,