Workaid has closed its workshop to all volunteers until further notice and the Workaid Shop has also closed for the foreseeable future to protect both volunteers and the public. Updates will be posted here and also on our Social Media pages.
During this period we are managing our outgoings carefully. However there are many unavoidable costs that we will continue to incur so that we can be ready to open as soon as possible. Please help us continue our work enabling disadvantaged young people in Africa to build sustainable livelihoods by donating today. As our income is going to drop significantly, your help at this time is invaluable and very much appreciated.
DONATE NOWDonated tools really help to make a difference to the lives of people at the projects we support, but in the interests of safety, we are not able to receive tools and equipment until the current health emergency is resolved. We will update this notice as soon as the situation changes.
Thank you for bearing with us and your continued support.
Last update: 30/03/2020
WORKAID Improves lives
We are a charity based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire with a network of Tool Collection Points all over the UK. We are run by an ever growing team of volunteers who refurbish tools and then send them to vocational training projects in Africa and the UK and have received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. To get involved you can volunteer, donate your tools or give a gift to change a life.
MAKE A DONATION
Make a Donation
Make a secure payment by credit or debit card as a one-time or recurring donation, or buy a Workaid Gift. Just £5 per month for a year enables us to send a sewing machine, 2 haberdashery kits and cover the cost of shipping to a vocational training centre in Africa.
LEARN MORE
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME
Volunteer your Time
We always need volunteers.
Join our team at The Old Boot Factory in Chesham, or become a local collector around the country.
Share your skills and make new friendships. All you need is enthusiasm.
LEARN MORE
DONATE YOUR TOOLS
Donate your Tools
Change lives by donating your unwanted tools, equipment and haberdashery items.
Each year 80 tonnes of tools are saved from landfill, refurbished and sent to vocational training projects in East Africa and the UK.
LEARN MORE
Stories from the Field
Workaid during the COVID-19 Crisis
The Trustees made the decision to close Workaid to volunteers and suspend collection of tools to safeguard everyone against COVID-19 before the the country-wide lock down came into force. For the Trustees it was [...]
The Big Give 2019 – Your £1 = £2
The Big Give 2019 - For every £1 donated we'll receive £2: midday Tuesday 3rd December - Tuesday 10th December Help young people in Zambia and double your donation! One donation, twice the impact. [...]
Latest Video from Workaid in Zambia and Uganda
Latest Video from Workaid in Zambia and Uganda In September, Adrian Hatch, our CEO, travelled with Moyra Zaman, our Zambian Co-ordinator and Trustee, to Zambia before he travelled on to Uganda. They visited projects [...]
What we have Achieved
In 2015 Workaid received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and in 2016 we celebrated our 30th Anniversary
Our first ever container went to Kenya in 1994 and we now send 8 containers a year to East Africa containing 80 tonnes of equipment supporting over 180 projects.
A breakdown of machines shipped includes Sewing Machines (21,662), Knitting Machines (3,482) and Typewriters (9,827). Tool kits include Carpenter’s (5,743), Mechanic’s (1,196), Mason’s (1,487), Electrician’s (593), Plumber’s (384), Leather worker’s (678), Horticultural kits (1,828) plus a range of larger miscellaneous equipment such as turret drills and lathes (7,526).
Our group of volunteers continues to grow but so do our plans, so to help us change lives why not volunteer today?
What we stand for
As a charity dedicated to helping people help themselves Workaid tackles poverty mainly in East Africa and the UK. We collect, refurbish and then supply tools and equipment to self help groups and vocational training projects.
Tools for life
We help provide a valuable community service by refurbishing tools that would otherwise be thrown away. Supported by a large group of volunteers from all walks of life, we supply disadvantaged people with the tools and practical skills to become self supporting.
Founded in 1986 we work directly with partners we have personally visited in each country ensuring that the projects are genuine. We provide people with things they want rather than what we think they might need and we never send money. Our ethos is providing Tools for Life.
