Sports equipment now available to hire at Haverhill Library

Six libraries in Suffolk, including Haverhill, now offer sports equipment which customers can borrow.

The ‘Move It’ scheme is a pilot project which will offer people the chance to borrow sports and outdoor game equipment, just like any other library loan.

The equipment on offer varies but includes dumbbells, play parachutes, swingball, badminton, bowling, football, cricket, basketball, tennis, yoga and rounders and can be borrowed by any existing library customers who are at least 16 or above.

It can be borrowed for up to three weeks and like other library loans the equipment will incur overdue charges to encourage people to bring it back so others can use it. The The equipment has been provided from Suffolk Libraries New Chapters Mental Health and Wellbeing service with the aim of helping to encourage library customers to be more active.

Sarah Lungley, Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator for Suffolk Libraries, said: “Suffolk Libraries are proud to support the Most Active County initiative to help get people moving more and to improve their wellbeing.

"Our libraries are places people come for a huge range of services and information so we hope that some of our customers will take some of this equipment home and enjoy some new activities with their friends and family.”

Councillor James Reeder, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, said: “I’m pleased to see the library taking the initiative to provide a sports equipment loan scheme.

"Libraries are at the heart of local communities so they are ideally placed to support local people.

"I hope this project will encourage more people and families to be active together as well as help to reduce the financial barriers to playing sport and, in doing so, contribute to our ambition of becoming the most active county in England.”