Cumberland Council has donated surplus Carlisle Library furniture to The Rebuild Site CIC, helping local charities, community groups and businesses while reducing waste and giving materials a new purpose.
The furniture was passed to The Rebuild Site CIC, a Carlisle-based social enterprise dedicated to encouraging people to rethink how materials are used, reclaim items that might otherwise be discarded, and reuse quality surplus materials wherever possible. The organisation redistributes donated items to charities, community groups, businesses and residents, creating value from materials that are often treated as waste.
Since receiving the furniture, The Rebuild Site has found a wide range of new uses for the shelving and storage units. Many items have been used to improve storage in garages, sheds and allotments, while others have helped transform tool storage, tile displays and bathroom supply areas within The Rebuild Site’s own premises.
A local vehicle workshop purchased 30 units to support the reorganisation of its workspace, demonstrating how surplus furniture can continue to provide practical benefits for years to come.
The donation has also supported important community projects, including Afrikana CIC’s new community hub. Furniture from Carlisle Library is helping to furnish the Afrikana Centre, a welcoming community space designed to provide a safe environment where people can connect with others, access support and feel a sense of belonging.
Meanwhile, Eden Valley Hospice has used donated shelving to help establish a new charity shop in Carlisle, due to open later this year. The additional retail outlet will generate vital income to support the hospice’s specialist care services for adults with life-limiting conditions, as well as the work of Jigsaw, Cumbria’s only children’s hospice.
Alison Graham, Cumberland Council’s Assistant Director for Customer Solutions, said:
"The refurbishment of Carlisle Library marks an exciting new chapter for the service, and we're equally pleased that the furniture no longer required has been able to benefit so many worthwhile causes.
"Seeing these items reused by community organisations, charities and local businesses demonstrates the value of working together to make the most of our resources. It's a great example of sustainability in action and of how materials that might otherwise be discarded can continue to support people and communities for many years to come."
Emma Porter, Founder of The Rebuild Site CIC said:
"It's fantastic to see Cumberland Council choosing reuse as part of this refurbishment. Too often, perfectly good furniture is treated as waste simply because it's no longer needed in one place. By working together, we've been able to keep these items in use, supporting local charities, community organisations and businesses while reducing waste. We hope this encourages more organisations to think differently about surplus materials and the value they can continue to provide."
The project highlights the environmental and social benefits of reuse, ensuring that furniture no longer needed by the library continues to serve the community in meaningful ways.
By working with organisations such as The Rebuild Site CIC, Cumberland Council is helping to reduce waste, support local charities and community groups, and ensure valuable resources remain in use for as long as possible.