Workaid

We do this by refurbishing donated tools to a high standard and shipping them to training centres and self-help organisations.

We are a charity 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 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 busine

ss. In 2015 we received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. To get involved you can volunteer, donate your tools or give a virtual gift to change a life.

28/05/2026

📢 Upcoming Donations Closure 📢

Due to being inundated with your generous donations, and in preparation for our upcoming Open Day, we will be closed for donations from Monday 1st June and will reopen as usual on Monday 22nd June.

Sorry for any inconvenience, and thank you for your continued support!

22/05/2026

The results of the Name a Container Competition are in…

🏆 Winner: May Contain Nuts (and bolts)

A huge congratulations to Mark Cowie, whose entry took the top spot! 👏

We’d also like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part. It was fantastic reading through all your entries — from heartfelt names inspired by loved ones to creative ideas with funny stories behind them. Thank you all for getting involved and sharing your ideas with us!

This container will be heading to Tanzania later this year.

13/05/2026

Yesterday, we bid farewell to Container Cassidy, which has begun its journey to Zambia! 🚛 David, a volunteer in the sewing machine section, named this container after his delightful grandson Cassidy.

Inside are 725 boxes of donated tools and equipment, including 136 sewing and knitting machines, which will be distributed to the various projects we support, such as training centres and schools.

These tools change the lives of those who receive them, allowing them to learn a new income-generating skill such as tailoring.

Read more about the container here 👉 workaid.org/container-cassidy

11/05/2026

⏰ Don’t miss your chance to name our container of tools! ⏰

Every year we send shipping containers full of donated tools and equipment to secondary schools, vocational training centres and community-based organisations in Africa.

As part of our 40th anniversary celebrations, we’re giving YOU the opportunity to name one of our containers 🚛

✨ Free to enter
✨ Enter online or in person at The Workaid Shop

Find out more and enter here 👉 workaid.org/container-competition

We will draw the winning name this Friday! 📢

01/05/2026

We were delighted to welcome Katy from Harrow School for a recent visit.

After a long history in dairy and livestock, they are bringing Harrow Farm back to life as a community farm and outdoor education hub creating valuable opportunities for learning, sustainability and community connection.

"We're so grateful for Workaid's donation of garden tools - these will help our volunteers get our growing plot and polytunnels into shape so a new generation can enjoy growing on the farm again. Thank you!"

It’s a pleasure to support initiatives that make a real difference and inspire future generations to connect with nature! 🌱

25/04/2026

Three years ago, Gagah started her own tailoring business. Each year, she takes on two young trainees, passing on her skills and empowering the next generation.

This year, she’s mentoring Rebecca (middle) and Grace (left), both encouraged by their families to learn a skill.

When Gagah learned about the financial challenges Rebecca faces, she stepped in and decided to support her by purchasing a manual sewing machine from Kalwande. Rebecca will now complete 12 months of hands-on training under Gagah’s guidance.

Read more about Rebecca and Grace here: workaid.org/rebecca-and-grace

22/04/2026

Don't forget our shop is open today from 10am until 4pm so come and find some treasure! 🛠️

📍 71 Townsend Road, Chesham, HP5 2AA

16/04/2026

📢 Competition Time! 📢

Every year, we pack and ship containers filled with tools and equipment to projects in Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Our containers are usually named by our volunteers as recognition for their service, each name with a unique and meaningful story behind the name.

But this year, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary we’re doing things a little differently… to say thank you, we would like to give you the chance to name a container! 🚛🚢

- Entries are free!
- UK entries only

You can enter online via our website or in person in The Workaid Shop. To learn more visit: workaid.org/container-competition

15/04/2026

🎉 We’re turning 40! 🎉

This year marks an incredible milestone — 40 years of making a difference and transforming lives across Africa

To everyone who has supported us over the last four decades, past and present, thank you. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Founded in 1986, Workaid began as a small, volunteer-led initiative with a big vision: to provide practical support and help communities in East Africa build sustainable livelihoods.

We received our first donation of tools in those early days — and our volunteers have been refurbishing tools ever since.

Although times have changed, the need for vocational training remains as important as ever. Here’s to the next 40 years of empowering young people through vocational training. 🙌🛠️

08/04/2026

Great news! Starting Wednesday 22nd April 2026 at 10am, The Workaid Shop will be open FOUR DAYS A WEEK.

⏰ Our New Opening Hours will be:
Wed, Thur, Fri and Sat 10am to 4pm

📍 71 Townsend Road, Chesham, HP5 2AA

Our ‘charity shop with a difference‘, specialises in tools and hardware, gardening equipment, lawnmowers, electrical items, craft materials, patterns, wools, fabrics and general haberdashery, sewing and knitting machines.

👉 workaid.org/the-workaid-shop

Address

The Old Boot Factory, 71 Townsend Road
Chesham
HP52AA

Telephone

+441494775220

Website

https://workaid.org/

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