KEW resident Donna Benstead’s passion for community connection and sustainability has led to her founding the Kew-Kendall Community Swap.
“I really wanted to have a space where people could bring things they no longer needed, and for people to take things that they did need,” she told News Of The Area.
“I found that most of the existing swap events were focused on produce and I wanted to open it up to a greater variety of items.”
Each month, a group of enthusiastic members from the Camden Haven and Port Macquarie-Hastings meet at the playground alongside the Big Axe at iKew Information Centre.
Swapped items have included plants, cuttings, home made baked treats, jams, teas, craft items, crocheted blankets and eggs.
It has been so successful that Donna is expanding it to encompass lightly used items that she hopes will find a new home.
She is open to people bringing books, clothing, toys, kitchen items, homewares and décor, as long as they’re in good condition.
“We spend time chatting before swapping and this has become a lovely social outlet through which I have gained new friends.
“So many people are lonely, and this is one way to combat it while giving a second life to items, so they don’t go to waste.”
More information can be found on their Facebook page, Community Swap-Kew/Kendall.
By Rachael THORPE
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