Southwark residents are borrowing rather than buying, with a community-led initiative that is cutting costs and carbon footprints across the borough.
The Canada Water Library of Things has served 1,200 users in its first 15 months of operation, hiring out everything from staple guns at £1.50 per day to carpet cleaners at £25 per day. The concept is simple: instead of purchasing expensive items that sit unused for months, residents can borrow them when needed.
Expansion Across the Borough
The council has approved expansion to the Castle Centre in Elephant and Castle, which sees approximately 3,000 visitors each week, with a further site planned for Dulwich by March 2025. The goal is to ensure every Southwark household sits within 2 kilometres of a Library of Things location.
Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business, Councillor John Batteson, said the initiative allows residents to "save money, reduce their carbon footprint and play their part in tackling the climate emergency." The council pays a £2,000 monthly service charge to the national Library of Things organisation to operate the programme.
A 25 per cent concession discount is available for those on lower incomes, with items ranging from sewing machines at £5.50 per day to gardening equipment and DIY tools.
Supporting Residents Through the Cost of Living Crisis
The Library of Things is one of several council initiatives addressing both environmental and economic pressures. In October 2024, Southwark Council provided one-off £50 Council Tax payments to 5,000 households in bands A and B, specifically targeting families affected by the two-child benefit cap. The £250,000 programme was designed to offer direct financial relief during what Councillor Stephanie Cryan, Cabinet Member for Equalities, Democracy and Finance, described as "really tough" times.
Community Grants and Local Democracy
The council has also streamlined its neighbourhood funding through the Neighbourhood Grants Programme, which combines the Cleaner Greener Safer, Devolved Highways and Neighbourhoods Funds into a single application process. The deadline for applications has been extended to 11.59pm on 26 October 2025.
Constituted organisations, tenant and resident associations, charities, clubs and individuals are all eligible to apply. The funding supports local projects that improve the immediate environment, enhance safety, or strengthen community cohesion.
Celebrating Southwark's Diversity
Southwark's commitment to inclusive community programming is further demonstrated by the £30,000 Pride Fund for 2026, which will support 15 separate events running from June through the summer. The programme includes the Pride in Southwark march, Queer Prom at SET Social, an Evening of Theatrical Rainbows at Southwark Playhouse, and Queer Minds Trans Care Day with South East London Mind.
Deputy Leader Councillor Victor Chamberlain said that with "one of the largest LGBTQI+ populations in London it is important to us to be able to help celebrate the incredible contributions the communities make to the borough."
Community Forums and Representation
Beyond funding programmes, Southwark supports several community forums that give residents direct input into council decision-making. The Southwark Multi Faith Forum brings together ten representatives from different faith communities, including Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Bahai and Sikh organisations. The forum promotes good relations between faith groups and lobbies on issues affecting religious communities.
The Southwark Pensioners Forum meets bi-monthly and is open to all local pensioners and representatives from pensioner groups, while the Southwark LGBT Network runs social and support activities, often in venues that do not centre on alcohol.
Anti-Racist Initiatives
The council's "Southwark Stands Together" programme includes five pledges and regular progress reports on anti-racist work. The initiative incorporates listening exercises, surveys and video dialogues with community members about their experiences of racism in the borough.