Give women access to tools and they’ll close the gender skills gap!
At Share Bristol, we see it every day. When people have access to the right tools, they gain more than equipment – they gain independence, practical skills, and the confidence to make their homes their own.
Women Are Reshaping DIY Culture
Recent UK consumer research* shows a significant generational change in DIY confidence:
- 47% of women say they no longer rely on men for home improvements
- 59% say they take on more DIY tasks than previous generations
- Decorating (79%) and upcycling (55%) are the most common independent projects
- 46% of Gen Z women report confidence in painting and decorating – compared to 28% of young men
- 86% of young people were encouraged to develop practical skills growing up
The message is clear: women are actively closing the DIY confidence gap.
And crucially, many started building those practical skills early.
A Practical, Sustainable Way to Build DIY Confidence from Day One
That early confidence-building is something we actively support through our Share Bristol Frenchay branch, based on the University of the West of England (UWE) campus. By making tools accessible to students, we’re helping young people in Bristol give DIY a go from the very start of independent living – whether that’s putting up shelves in student accommodation, repairing bikes, upcycling furniture, or tackling their first home projects.
Having a Library of Things on campus removes the cost barrier and gives students the chance to build practical confidence that lasts well beyond university.
How Can You Try DIY Without Setting Foot in a DIY Store?
If you’re beyond your student days and think you need to start by visiting a DIY store or finding a local tool shop in Bristol, you’re not alone. Many people head to a certain orange superstore and feel they have to start investing in tools before knowing whether they’ll use them again.
But what if giving DIY a go didn’t mean buying everything outright?
A Smarter Alternative to the Traditional DIY Store
That’s where borrowing changes everything.
At Share Bristol, we provide access to professional-quality tools so you can:
- Try DIY at your own pace
- Take on home improvement tasks without financial pressure
- Build practical skills safely and confidently
- Complete one-off projects without buying equipment you may only use once
Sometimes confidence starts with something simple: access.
DIY, Community and Sustainability in Bristol
Borrowing tools isn’t just practical – it’s sustainable.
Rather than buying rarely used equipment from a DIY store, sharing resources:
- Reduces waste
- Saves money
- Builds community connections
- Encourages more people to give DIY a go confidently
For many women especially, having accessible tools has made the difference between thinking, “I can’t do that,” and realising, “I can try.”
For many members, affordable access turns intention into action. Joanne from Kingswood shares:
“Such a valuable resource!! Am getting loads of jobs done because I can borrow the tools I need.”
Give to Gain: Building Skills Through Sharing
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, reflects what we see in action at Share Bristol.
When we provide access to tools, people gain:
- Confidence
- Independence
- Practical skills
- A sense of ownership over their homes
And when the home improvements are finished, you can also borrow what you need to host a celebration or head off on your next adventure!
An Affordable Alternative to Hiring DIY Tools
If you’ve been searching for the most affordable way to buy DIY equipment, consider a different approach.
Many people already realise you can hire tools in Bristol – but traditional hire can still be expensive, especially for power tools. In some cases, the cost of hiring a single item for a short period can add up quickly.
With Share Bristol, borrowing is often far more affordable. An annual membership, which gives you access to borrow anything in our Library of Things throughout the year, is often cheaper than the cost of hiring just one power tool elsewhere.
Borrow the tools you need at a fraction of the cost. Use them to practise new projects and build your confidence, without buying.
An added bonus? Our friendly teams at our branches in Bedminster, Kingswood, Frenchay and Winterbourne love hearing about the DIY projects you’re planning. Tell us what you’re working on, and we’ll help you select the right tools for the job.
Research Credit
*Statistics referenced in this article are based on UK consumer research conducted by Wickes (surveying over 2,000 adults on DIY behaviours) and additional generational confidence analysis from a Halfords UK study.
⸻
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Share Bristol a DIY shop?
Share Bristol isn’t a traditional DIY shop. Instead of selling tools, we operate as a Library of Things where members can access high-quality tools at a fraction of the cost of buying them.
If you’re searching for a DIY shop in Bristol but only need tools for a short-term project, borrowing could be a more affordable and sustainable option.
When you become a member, you can borrow tools from any of the Share Bristol Library of Things branches in Bedminster, Kingswood, Frenchay and Winterbourne.
We stock a wide range of equipment for home improvement, decorating, gardening and repairs – making it easy to give DIY a go without purchasing tools outright.
For most one-off or occasional projects, borrowing tools is significantly cheaper than buying from a DIY store in Bristol.
Instead of investing in equipment you may only use once, you can access professional-quality tools when you need them – saving money and reducing clutter.
We offer a broad range of tools including:
–Drills and screwdrivers
–Sanders and decorating equipment
–Garden tools
–Specialist DIY equipment
Equipment for home improvement projects
If you would normally visit a DIY store in Bristol for a specific item, there’s a good chance you can borrow it instead.
Absolutely. Many of our members join specifically to give DIY a go. Borrowing tools allows you to practise new projects without the pressure of buying expensive equipment first.
Our friendly team can also help you choose the right tools for your project.
While many people know they can hire tools in Bristol, traditional hire can sometimes be costly, particularly for power tools or longer projects. Daily or weekend hire fees can quickly add up.
Borrowing from Share Bristol works differently. As a charity with a vision that everyone can share affordably, we exist to make access to tools as low-cost and inclusive as possible. With an annual membership, you can borrow from a wide range of equipment throughout the year,and it’s often cheaper than the cost of hiring a single power tool elsewhere.
Beyond cost, borrowing also offers flexibility and community benefits. You’re not just accessing equipment – you’re supporting a local charity, reducing waste, saving money, and helping build a sharing culture that makes practical projects more accessible for everyone.
