From Tools to Triumph: Empowering Young People at Edinburgh Tool Library
August 2024 saw Essentia Foundation trustees visit Edinburgh Tool Library (ETL), a thriving upcycling and community empowerment initiative in the heart of Scotland’s capital.
Background
Established in 2014, ETL operates from four locations across Edinburgh—Meadowbank, Portobello, Customs Wharf, and Colinton. As a membership organisation, ETL’s mission is to empower individuals, promote sustainable practices, and strengthen community bonds through the shared use of tools and knowledge. The library facilitates these goals through volunteer-run weekly tool lending sessions, open workshops, and various woodworking, repair, and tool familiarisation courses.
ETL’s tool lending sessions offer members the opportunity to borrow tools they have reserved and discuss their DIY projects with knowledgeable volunteers. These interactions help members select the right tools for their needs. Open workshops, hosted at two of the library’s locations, provide a space for larger or more complex projects, where members can access larger tools and receive hands-on assistance from experienced volunteers. The workspaces also offer a continuous programme of woodworking skills courses, confidence-building lessons, and tool familiarisation sessions. With over 1,400 active members from diverse backgrounds, ETL lends approximately 500 tools each month to around 40 members per week.
Did you know? – A power drill is only used on average for 13 minutes in its lifetime!
Project
In early 2024, the Essentia Foundation awarded ETL a grant to support the delivery of its ‘Tools for Life’ programme. This 12-week mentorship initiative provides practical opportunities for young people facing barriers to employment.
Six months after the grant was awarded, Essentia trustees visited ETL’s Meadowbank premises on a bright afternoon in Edinburgh. The group was hosted by Chris Hellawell, the Tool Library Director, who provided a tour of the well-organised yet bustling tool library. The facility housed everything from power drills and saws to guitars and sandpaper, showcasing the breadth of ETL’s offerings!
Impact
Chris reported that the ‘Tools for Life’ programme had been progressing successfully, with young people working in groups of three. The programme’s impact has been profound, with participants gaining apprenticeship opportunities, enrolling in educational courses, and some even continuing to volunteer with the charity. The grant has had a dual impact: it has supported young people, some of whom experience mental health challenges like anxiety, by providing a social setting where they can build networks and learn transferable skills. Additionally, the programme has promoted the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling among young people in Edinburgh, demonstrating how small actions can contribute to addressing the climate emergency.
As ETL celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024, the organisation continues to grow and make a meaningful impact on the community. The Essentia Foundation looks forward to seeing the continued success of the ‘Tools for Life’ programme and wishes ETL the best of luck in their ongoing efforts.
