Sefton Council has provided a Community Transition Fund award to Sefton community group Bootle Tool Shed, to support their relocation due to the Bootle Strand repurposing project.

This continues the working partnership between the two organisations over recent years. In addition, Sefton Council is committed to ensuring that local handiwork will play a part in the new Bootle Strand uplift, thanks to Bootle Tool Shed.

Local handiwork

Sefton Council will commission work from the non-profit workshop in a number of areas, including woodworking and maintenance in the new build areas of the Strand project.

Bootle Tool Shed was established over seven years ago to combat social isolation and loneliness in people across the Borough.

Members take part in DIY projects to refurbish unwanted items and prevent them from going to landfill.

Working together

Previous collaborations with Sefton Council includes building brand new planters and benches for the new Salt and Tar venue in Bootle. They are also working closely with the Council at local cemeteries and crematoria to create memorials.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “We are always looking for ways to involve and support our local community groups. I am pleased that we have been able to provide this financial support, and it is great news for us and Bootle Strand that Bootle Tool Shed will be involved in the redevelopment project.

“Not only is Bootle Tool Shed brilliant for the wellbeing of its members, it also has a track record of doing high quality work. We are completely confident that they will be an asset to the Council’s work.

“Bootle Tool Shed is one of several Community Interest Companies we have been working with in recent years at the Strand, and we are pleased to see these partnerships support positive social outcomes in Bootle. We hope to ensure these partnerships continue to thrive in the longer-term as well.”

Working with the community

Eddy Flynn, Founder of Bootle Tool Shed said: “Bootle Tool Shed wouldn’t be here without Sefton Council’s support. We appreciate this important funding award and we’d also like to say a big thank you to our landlord, J H Tank Services, for supporting us to stay up and running.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Council and with the Bootle community.”

Earlier this year, Bootle Tool Shed won the Shed of the Year Award, hosted by the UK Men’s Sheds Association. The award celebrates groups which make significant contributions to community, health and wellbeing, partnerships, and supporting each other.

The group will be operating from its new home on Derby Road in the new year and is open to anyone aged over 18 who is interested in joining.

Find out more about Bootle Tool Shed on their website.