The ‘Wallsend Free Pantry’ was designed and built as a public community resource - an amenity to hold donated clothes, sanitary items, food, toys and home-wares, for members of the community to give what they can and take what they need.

Located in the foyer of a public library, across from a large supermarket and close to public transport, the pantry was commissioned by the local library to service people in need. The pantry was designed to be built by young people with very little wood-working experience, while also being of a quality and functionality that brings dignity to those who use it.

The pantry was built over two weeks as part of a scholarship program, inviting two high-school aged women to the workshop to learn timber joinery and tool-use. Using a simple French-cleat system, the pantry is designed to be flexible in its configuration – giving users a sense of ownership. Recycled blackwood from Round-Two-Timbers and birch-ply shelving units locate themselves horizontally across the wall by spaced magnets.

This simply constructed piece speaks to the capacity of us as makers to show care for our communities and consider who we bring along on the journey. Concerned little with WHAT the object is, but WHO it is for, the work demonstrates how woodwork can serve a greater purpose and an expression of making that can be accessible to all.

Collaborative Makers:

Hannah Cheetham - Workshop Coordinator
Holly Buntman Ronnenberg - Workshop Supervisor
Gemma Separovich - Student
Anna Greaves - Student

Timber and workshop partnership with Round Two Timber Recyclers
Mini Doco by Lee Illfield