ATU’s ‘Timbershare’ project gets boost to help create a more connected and resilient community thanks to National Lottery and IKEA funding

ATU is celebrating today after being awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and IKEA UK, as part of the £1.5million pilot programme, Places Called Home. 

Volunteers receive carpentry training as part of the Cabin build

The pilot programme from the largest funder of community activity and world’s largest home furnishing retailer, is supporting more than 330 local communities across the UK with grants of up to £5,000 to build back better and differently as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Places Called Home programme builds on the energy and creativity of communities coming together during the crisis to support each other and aims to inspire them to take action around healthy and sustainable living, while learning from each other and building meaningful connections. 

Andover Trees United will use their funding for their ‘Timbershare’ project using the excess wood generated from the timber-frame cabin build which was started over the summer. The project will provide a shared workshop and guided sessions for local groups, carpenters and novice woodworkers to process the ‘waste’ timber from the framing phase of the cabin build and create useful and saleable products.

Wendy Davis, ATU project founder & leader said: “Thanks to National Lottery players and IKEA we have been given this creative opportunity to bring people together with a shared aim of reducing waste, making the most of resources and learning from each other to craft items which will benefit the charity and all who participate.”

The project kicks off on Saturday 23rd October with a ‘Sort & Stack’ of the left-over larch and cedar timber. “Sorting through the timber as we stack is a great opportunity to come up with ideas how best to use it. Whether you like working with wood or are just keen to give it a go, we hope you will come along.” said Wendy Davis. To get involved as either a participant or session leader, the organisation are asking people to email volunteers@andovertrees.org.uk and put ‘Timbershare’ in the subject line.

Alongside the funding, with £1million made possible thanks to National Lottery players, all community groups that applied have now been invited to a virtual learning and support programme, created by Participatory City Foundation.  

Emma Ackerman, Funding Strategy Director at The National Lottery Community Fund said: “As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that we can build on the energy and creativity we’ve seen to make stronger communities and a better everyday life. We’re delighted that together with IKEA and National Lottery players we have been able to support this across the UK with our pilot partnership and funding announced today.”

Hege Saebjornsen, Partnership Advisor at Ingka Group said: “The COVID-19 outbreak has demonstrated how fragile the world is, reinforcing the need for collective resilience - for our neighbourhoods, our communities and our planet. Through this programme, we have an opportunity to make sustainable and healthy living accessible and affordable for everyone while also unleashing the skills, energy and enthusiasm of communities to take part in making a difference every day.”

Places Called Home is a small-scale pilot to test how a partnership between the largest funder of community activity in the UK works with the world’s largest home furnishing retailer.