ALTON Community Share, a new community initiative organised by the community for the community – and led by Alton Climate Action & Network (ACAN) with Alton Town Council – is set to launch this Wednesday (June 10).

The project is essentially a library of free activities, materials and equipment to help keep individuals and families busy and active, all donated by the community for the benefit of others, particularly while Covid-19 keeps us centred on our homes.

Alton Community Share will be open from 10am to midday Wednesday to Saturday at the Alton Community Centre, Amery Street, Alton, GU34 1HN. Anyone can borrow items free of charge for up to three weeks.

Donations of items are welcome too, to be dropped off between 10am and 2pm from Wednesday, June 3 to Saturday, June 6 at either Alton Community Centre or The Vicarage, 7 Church Lane, Holybourne, GU34 4HD.

Donated items should be clean, quality objects in good condition and working order. Unfortunately, electrical or petrol-powered items cannot be accepted.

Donations of all shapes and sizes are welcome such as puzzles and board games (complete sets), books (less than three years old), musical instruments (playable condition), garden games, sheet music, craft items (such as knitting patterns and cross stitch) DVDs and toys (no soft toys).

Strict hygiene and control of infection rules will be followed. Items donated will be quarantined for 72 hours, and the community centre will be carefully organised to ensure social distancing.

Alton Community Share is led by Alton Climate Change & Network with Alton Town Council and Alton Community Centre. ACAN is very grateful for the advice of Share Farnham.

Jenny Griffiths from ACAN said: “This is a great community project which reflects the generous spirit of Altonians in these unprecedented times. By sharing things we don’t need with others, we improve their lives, save money and reduce waste.”

For further information, or if you have a donation that needs to be collected or want to volunteer, email [email protected] or call 07423 162654.