About us
In the UK
We are a charity based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire empowering young people in Africa (and the UK) to help themselves by developing the skills and knowledge needed to find gainful employment or start their own business.
We refurbish donated tools to a high standard and ship them to training centres and self-help organisations. In 2015 we received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Our Chesham workshop operates with a community of dedicated volunteers who bring a wealth of skills and abilities to refurbish donated tools. We also offer opportunities to young people with rehabilitation needs, mild to moderate learning support needs and those facing employment challenges, to learn valuable life lessons and vocational skills.
Our Mission
We enable young people in Africa to build sustainable livelihoods.
Our Vision
A world in which all young people are able to achieve full and productive employment.
Our Values
We believe in . . .
- empowering young people in Africa to help themselves
- the re-use and recycling of the world’s resources
- the benefits of volunteering
- the practice of non-discrimination, respect and equality of opportunity for all
- understanding and improving the impact of our work
- actively participating in the local community
Humble Beginnings
How It Started
The 1980s saw one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the twentieth century. In 1984, the famine in Ethiopia left over one million people dead and a further eight million at risk of starvation (source BBC).
As governments and individuals were concentrating their efforts on emergency relief following the Live Aid appeal, a group of friends from Buckinghamshire were determined to provide long-term practical assistance. They began a ground-breaking project to help the people of East Africa escape the cycle of poverty and rebuild their lives.
In response to the vivid reports of the famine, brought to public attention by journalist Michael Buerk, Ken Nunn – a local solicitor – called a meeting which was attended by 30 people from churches and the local community.
A committee was formed, with Ken as Chairman and local businessman, John Boughton, offered a space in his premises in Little Chalfont. This became Workaid’s first workshop.
After much preparation and hard work, Workaid officially opened for business in April 1986 and was formally registered as a charity soon after.
Quick Expansion
The very first group of volunteers began refurbishing donated tools and equipment in 1986. These were then sent to projects where vulnerable people in East Africa could learn trade skills, grow crops and produce goods for sale in order to earn a living.
As more volunteers joined the team and the supply of tools and equipment increased, we soon outgrew the premises in Little Chalfont. Fortunately, we were offered a hut at the Free Church in Amersham from which we then moved to a unit generously loaned by GE Healthcare, also in Amersham.
Our Workshop
In 2008, we moved into a large warehouse/workshop, which was formerly a boot and shoe factory in Chesham, now known as The Old Boot Factory.
In addition to the workshop, we now have The Workaid Shop where we sell items unsuitable for the projects we support in Africa. The proceeds help us cover our operating expenses and shipping costs.
The shop specialises in tools and hardware, gardening equipment, lawnmowers, electrical items, craft materials, haberdashery and sewing and knitting machines.
Workaid Today
Today, we continue to operate out of The Old Boot Factory with a dedicated team of volunteers from all kinds of industries who bring a wealth of skills and abilities.
Our workshop is divided into different sections, and donations are organised accordingly.
We always need your help whether it be to volunteer your time and skills, to donate tools and equipment, to support us financially through a legacy or donation or make a purchase in the shop.
Visit our other ways to give page to learn about how you can help:
Our Journey
Our Timeline
Key People
Our Team
Adrian Hatch
Chief Executive Officer
Jason Paul
Volunteer & IT Manager
Elaine Wheatcroft
Office Supervisor
Fiona Cairns
Communications Coordinator
Matthew Kirk
Trust & Foundations Fundraiser
Ian Butterworth
Site Caretaker
David Warby
Assistant Retail Manager
Rob Tokolics
Online Retail Coordinator
Sam Evans
Retail Assistant
Rachel Wilcox
Finance Manager
Our Trustees
Richard Canham (Chair)
Peter Chidgey (Vice Chair)
Rob Levine
Derek Moores
Geoff Bellingham
Martha Ware
Jane Vellacott
Our Patrons
Sir William Castell
Sylvia Parrott MBE
Gary Grant
Eric Knowles