NEED a drill? A trestle table? A smoke machine?

Well, a charity ‘library of things’ in Frome can provide them for a small fee – but it needs your support.

SHARE Frome was the first of its kind in the UK, set up in early 2015, giving people the opportunity to borrow, rather than buy, items they may not use regularly.

It estimates that it has prevented more than 102,000kg of new items being used, through more than 3,500 items loaned to 865 members, saving them around £120,000 on purchases.

However, despite rising demand, the charity could be facing closure amid the cost-of-living crisis.

The independent charity, owned and run by the community, has warned 2024 could be the last year it runs.

“Sadly, SHARE, like so many other charities, has experienced significant financial hardships in recent years,” a spokesperson said.

“Their running costs have risen by 290% in the last 12 months and there have been greater demands on their time to meet with trading standards legislations.

SHARE Frome offers a host of household items – and more unusual products – for members to borrow

“And on March 18, SHARE was given the devastating news that they will be losing their free premises on Frome High Street, which means they now need urgent support from businesses, individuals and organisations in the community to ensure they can find a new home and continue delivering their borrowing and repair services.”

They said the charity has seen a surge in demand in recent months from those in need, with concessionary membership – for those on low incomes – rising by 280% since March 2022.

Now, a web page is being created at www.sharefrome.org/sharetogether giving people all the information they need to help.

As well as donations, it will detail other ways people can help keep the charity going.

Community meetings throughout April are also planned, to explain how people can help and answer questions.

“Your support, no matter how small, is vital and will make all the difference,” the spokesperson added.

For more information, and for meeting dates as they are confirmed, log on to sharefrome.org.