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.
NEW! Still need to get some presents? Buy a Workaid Practical Gift online to simplify all your gift purchases. It’s as easy as ABC for Anniversaries, Birthdays and Christmas! Visit Practical Gifts
Office, Workshop and Shop Christmas & New Year Closing: From 12.30pm Friday, 21st December, re-opening Thursday, 3rd January
(Shop closes midday Friday 21st).
We wish all our supporters a happy and peaceful time and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
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.
LEARN MORE
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.
LEARN MORE
Stories from the Field
International Volunteer Day!
It's International Volunteer Day! A time for both Workaid and our volunteers to promote the impact of their work on their communities on a local, national and international level. Here at Workaid, we talk a [...]
A Brief History of a Sewing Machine
Using Workaids collection points all over the UK we are able to receive a colossal number of donations all of which with their own unique history. Recently we obtained a donation of a 1925 Singer Sewing [...]
The Hub at Workaid
The Hub at Workaid, was set up six years ago with the main purpose to provide supported work experience to people with learning disabilities, usually college leavers. Barbara heard about the Hub through a volunteer where [...]
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.
