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We created the Watersports Library after realising that - despite living near the water - many of our neighbours in Poole did not have the financial means or confidence to take part in watersports of any kind. In a seaside town, lack of access to the water is emblematic of other factors of marginalisation that disadvantaged people face. We felt that if we could create a local library of watersports gear, and build a community around the idea of resource sharing, it could drive a wide range of connected benefits from being out on the water, whilst also bringing people together to tackle loneliness and isolation.
That’s exactly what has happened so far. Our experiment started on May 14th 2020, but we had 169 members join in the summer, despite the restrictions of lockdown. We rent two small spaces. One near Hamworthy Beach and another at the Junction Leisure Centre in Broadstone. They store kayaks, fishing tackle, surfboards, paddleboards, wetsuits and more. People can then borrow this equipment using a cloud-based library management system, which is managed by a small team of volunteers. Our members tell us that having access to the equipment, and spending time on the water has had a positive impact on their well-being, and given them new local connections and relationships. Members facing financial difficulties are offered free membership through a pay-it-forward system that is working really well.
That’s exactly what has happened so far. Our experiment started on May 14th 2020, but we had 169 members join in the summer, despite the restrictions of lockdown. We rent two small spaces. One near Hamworthy Beach and another at the Junction Leisure Centre in Broadstone. They store kayaks, fishing tackle, surfboards, paddleboards, wetsuits and more. People can then borrow this equipment using a cloud-based library management system, which is managed by a small team of volunteers. Our members tell us that having access to the equipment, and spending time on the water has had a positive impact on their well-being, and given them new local connections and relationships. Members facing financial difficulties are offered free membership through a pay-it-forward system that is working really well.