Share Oxford steps into 2026 

Round & About

Ben Tuppen tells us about the brilliant community project helping Oxfordshire borrow more, waste less and learn new repair skills.

January is a month full of good intentions – fresh starts, new habits, and the urge to tidy, mend and make space again after the festive whirlwind. It’s also the perfect moment to discover SHARE Oxford, a brilliant charity powered by more than 60 active volunteers and two part-time staff, all working to help us consume less, waste less and share more. 

SHARE Oxford runs three core services: the Library of Things, monthly Repair Cafés and Tech Rescue IT sessions. Together, they help people borrow instead of buy, fix instead of bin, and give unused items a new life. 

The Library of Things, based at Makespace in Jericho, is a treasure trove of practical tools and fun equipment you only need occasionally. Instead of buying a hedge trimmer you’ll use once a year or a gazebo that gathers dust in the shed, you can borrow them for a fraction of the cost. Carpet cleaners, projectors for film nights, chocolate fountains, thermal imaging cameras (perfect for checking your home’s heat loss in winter) and even fruit presses, it’s all there to hire. And with bike or electric van delivery available across Oxford, it couldn’t be easier to get your hands on what you need. 

If your motto for 2026 is “mend more, waste less,” SHARE Oxford’s Repair Cafés are a revelation. These friendly, free monthly events bring together skilled volunteers who can fix everything from electronics and appliances to clothing, bikes, jewellery, furniture and even well-loved books. There’s tea, cake, good chat and the chance to learn skills yourself – whether that’s sharpening tools, darning a jumper or watching your broken lamp come back to life. You can book a slot online or simply drop in. 

Alongside this is Tech Rescue, a monthly IT-focussed session helping people get old laptops running smoothly, transfer data, understand alternatives to unsupported systems and donate unwanted tech to Getting Oxfordshire Online. January is a perfect time for a donation drive – especially for anyone who upgraded their devices over Christmas. 

SHARE Oxford is also part of a connected network of sustainability groups, including the Community Action Groups (CAG) and Cherwell Collective’s WISH network, meaning they can help signpost whatever you need – from loaning a bike to finding volunteers to gather your apple harvest. 

Whether you want to borrow tools, learn to repair, donate unused tech or simply meet like-minded people, SHARE Oxford is a welcoming place to start the year with less waste and more community. New volunteers are always welcome, and every small action helps build a greener, kinder Oxfordshire.