The Wānaka Community Workshop (WCW) has set up an online fundraiser to help raise money for a permanent staff member.

WCW co-founder Ben Acland wants more locals and community groups to have access to the (WCW) and for it to be able to offer more programmes for the Upper Clutha, but a lack of funding is standing in the way.

“Generally we're getting things done but we could be delivering so much more,” Ben said. 

He said the volunteer-run organisation operates the community workspace so residents can come together and share knowledge, tools, resources and materials for making or repairing projects. 

But volunteers have limited time to run the workshop and deliver programmes, and there is an increasingly long list of people and groups who want to make use of the facility.

“We’ve got to the point with the workshop and the number of things we are doing that we need a permanent person that is able to oversee everything,” Ben said.

A recent workshop event for local students had to be cancelled because there was no volunteer available to support them.

The WCW has set up an online fundraiser to help raise money for the staff member. 

“It’s a way to see how keen the Wānaka community is to help support us to continue. A way of putting the hat out and saying ‘we need some support’.”

The WCW Trust was formed in November 2020 and the WCW officially opened in April 2021.

It’s been a busy first year, with the trust working with a range of local groups (like M!NT, Kahu Youth and Te Kakano), building Lilliput Libraries, food donation bins, rat trap tunnels and much more; plus hosting repair workshops, its twice weekly MenShed get-togethers and, most recently, helping to support the establishment of Fabricate (a new fabric and sewing workspace) at the WCW.

“I have to say - we are doing amazing things,” Ben said. 

Support the WCW at the fundraising page here or visit the Wānaka Community Workshop to get involved as a volunteer or member.

PHOTO: Supplied