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.

02/09/2026

If you have tools you no longer need, consider giving them a second life by donating them to us 🛠️

We refurbish, pack and ship tools and equipment to vocational training centres and schools in Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda. Alongside hands-on training, these tools help provide graduates with opportunities to generate an income, develop practical livelihoods and, in many cases, start their own small businesses.

Tools that aren’t suitable for our projects in Africa are sold in our shop to raise vital funds.

📅 Donations are accepted: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:30am -12:30pm & 1:30pm - 4pm
📍 The Old Boot Factory, 71 Townsend Road, Chesham, HP5 2AA
Visit 👉 workaid.org/donate-tools for more info

What may be collecting dust in your garage could be the start of someone else’s future! 🌱

26/08/2026

With just over TWO WEEKS to go until our forecourt sale, preparations are well underway! There’s plenty happening behind the scenes as the team works hard to get everything sorted for the event.

⏰ Come and join us from 10am until 2pm on Saturday 12th September for a fantastic day and grab yourself a bargain!

📍 71 Townsend Road, Chesham, HP5 2AA
🔗 workaid.org/forecourt-sale

Proceeds from our Forecourt Sale raise vital funds to support our work in Africa.

21/08/2026

Together with the Vwila Foundation, we contracted local artisan David Kapaipi to fabricate the roof for the new sewing machine service centre in Lusaka, Zambia.

Some of you might remember David from previous posts. He studied woodwork and metal fabrication before establishing a small furniture-making business, which he later expanded into designing and installing innovative metal-frame buildings and roofs.

Now, two shipping containers have been converted into a workspace, the roof is installed, the electrics are in place, and the centre is up and running. Here, sewing machines will be repaired and restored, ready to be put back into use.

Emmanuel Zulu, Director of the Vwila Foundation, says: "We thank all the supporters who made it possible for the centre to be constructed."

Read more about David's journey 👉 workaid.org/david-kapaipi

19/08/2026

Take a look at this video about Workaid made by the team at Trend Tool Technology 👉

This video was kindly put together by the team at Trend Tool Technology to showcase who we are, what goes on behind the scenes, and how our work helps young people in Africa build sustainable livelihoods. Thank you to everyone at Trend who brought this video together 🛠

12/08/2026

This International Youth Day, we’re celebrating the potential, creativity and determination of young people across Africa.

We believe practical skills can create opportunities that last a lifetime. By giving donated tools and equipment a new purpose, we support vocational training and skills development in communities where resources are limited.

We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who has enrolled in, is currently completing or has graduated from one of the vocational training courses across Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania. The motivation and effort you put into developing your skills and becoming self-sufficient is truly inspiring.

Happy International Youth Day!

06/08/2026

A huge thank you to Trend Tool Technology for their generous donation of abrasive sanding discs. These will be sent to our partners in Zambia and Tanzania, where they will be distributed to the groups we support, helping provide valuable resources for their projects and training. 🛠️

05/08/2026

This morning, we said goodbye to Container José as it set off on its journey to Zambia! 👋🚛

Packed with 766 boxes of tools and equipment, the container includes 143 tool kits and 175 sewing/knitting machines. These will be delivered and distributed to secondary schools, community skills training centres, and correctional facilities, where the tools will help transform lives.

We look forward to hearing from the young people who receive these tools and seeing the opportunities they create once they reach training centres, workshops and community groups across Zambia.

This container was named by one of our volunteers, Stepan, who has been with Workaid for over 15 years. Read Stepan's story: workaid.org/container-jose

31/07/2026

Our volunteer applications are open again! 📢

We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join the Workaid team and help make a real difference.

Volunteering is a wonderful opportunity to work together and learn new skills, enhance your CV or just do something fun and practical. Giving your time can open a whole new world to you, while benefitting someone else through the projects we support.

There are a variety of roles available across all sections of our workshop, such as:
- General workshop
- Donation receiving & sorting
- Electrical refurbishment (including PAT testing)
- Horticultural refurbishment
- Haberdashery
- Recycling & waste management
- Retail – join the team at The Workaid Shop!

We'd love to hear from you. Register your interest today at 👉 workaid.org/volunteer

29/07/2026

📅 Save the Date!

It's that time of year again – our much-loved Forecourt Sale is back!

Join us from 10am until 2pm on Saturday 12th September for one of the highlights of the Workaid calendar. Our biannual Forecourt Sale is always a fantastic day, bringing together our incredible volunteers, supporters, and bargain hunters to raise vital funds for our work in Africa.

We can't wait to see you there!

Find out more 👉 workaid.org/forecourt-sale
Event page 👉 https://fb.me/e/80Jdxtlcq

23/07/2026

After completing carpentry training and earning his Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) qualification, 25-year-old Michael Kule started his own carpentry business, making furniture such as beds, tables and chairs.

He has since secured a contract to make beehives for the Bulhalho Foundation, a project we're supporting in Uganda, allowing him to earn additional income alongside his furniture business.

To help him on his way, we provided Michael with a starter kit of tools. He now produces up to two beehives a day, generating additional income.

Read more of Michaels story: workaid.org/michael-kule

Address

The Old Boot Factory, 71 Townsend Road
Chesham
HP52AA

Telephone

+441494775220

Website

https://workaid.org/

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