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.
Volunteer in the Shop! Looking for a different kind of volunteering? Join our Charity Shop with a Difference! Contact admin@workaid.org
Buy a Workaid Practical Gift online to simplify all your gift purchases throughout the year. It’s as easy as ABC for Anniversaries, Birthdays and Christmas! Visit Practical Gifts
MAKE A DONATION
Make a Donation
Become a Workaid friend. Make one-off or monthly payments, or buy a Practical Gift. £25 buys a knitting machine and enables a group of women to set up a business making school jumpers.LEARN MORE
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME
Volunteer your Time
We always need volunteers.
Join our team in Buckinghamshire or become a local collector around the country. Share your skills and make new friendships. All you need is enthusiasm.
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DONATE YOUR TOOLS
Donate your Tools
Change lives by donating your unwanted tools and equipment. Each year 80 tonnes of tools are saved from landfill, refurbished and sent to vocational training projects in East Africa and the UK.
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Stories from the Field
Success for Langas Self Help Group
Workaid's main focus has always been to enable self-sufficiency and support sustainable change. Langas Self Help Group in Eldoret, Kenya received their donated tools and equipment in December 2016. Almost two and a half years [...]
Millicent’s Testimony
Workaid is always delighted to receive feedback from projects we have worked with. We decided to share Millicent's story of how Workaid has affected her life. Millicent is the daughter of peasant farmers in rural [...]
Meddy, CEO of AFFCAD in Uganda Visits Workaid
It was a pleasure to have another visit this month from Meddy (Mohammed Kisirisa), CEO and co-founder of AFFCAD in Uganda. His energy and enthusiasm shine through his work in the slum area of Bwaise. [...]
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.
