A community in Dapeng is expanding its neighborhood services from lending tools to sharing skills, launching a volunteer-run workshop to help residents solve everyday problems.

The initiative grew out of a community effort to address residents’ practical needs. Previously, Dapeng Community had set up a public “help desk," offering items such as wheelchairs, ladders, strollers, first-aid kits, sewing kits and toolboxes for residents to borrow free of charge.

But community workers soon noticed another problem: Some residents had the right tools but lacked the skills to use them. A broken household appliance might require only a simple repair, while damaged clothing could be fixed with a needle and thread, but many residents did not know how to carry out these repairs.

The community responded by recruiting residents with practical skills and inviting them to join the workshop as volunteers. Residents skilled in clothing repairs, small-appliance maintenance and phone-screen replacement have since begun offering their services to neighbors.

The services themselves are free, with residents paying only the actual cost of replacement parts and other materials.

“I have some free time after work, and being able to use my skills to help neighbors makes me feel useful and happy,” said a resident volunteer surnamed Pan.

The workshop also provides a new setting for neighbors to meet and communicate. Residents can have minor repairs and other tasks handled close to home while building stronger ties within the community.

Within its first two days, the workshop had attracted nine skilled volunteers and provided 35 services.