Please note: This news post was originally published in July 2018; Pilgrims Hospices no longer participates in Tools for Self-Reliance.
To find out more about the scheme, please visit their website.
Canterbury Rotary Club has for many years supported the TFSR charity, based in Southampton. They collect old tools, turn them back to almost new and send them out as kits in containers to various countries in Africa to support training of tradespeople.
The charity also also supports the training of ladies to become dressmakers – so sewing machines, thimbles scissors, material etc. are also sent out.
Several years ago John Burton, a local Canterbury resident, saw the benefits of this work. As a retirement project and with help from our Club he has established a local workshop in Canterbury with a dozen or so volunteers – it’s the only one in Kent.
The Pilgrims Hospice initially made available some space for the workshop. They have now entered into an arrangement where, by expanding the size of the workshop, John and his team can provide some support for the bereaved by letting them assist with the refurbishment of tools…or even just letting them pop in for a chat.
The Hospice is also for the first time permitting the deposit of unwanted tools by the public at its Chartham warehouse. The new facility was opened at the end of May and we hope it’s a win-win for both charities, providing a valuable local community asset while helping trade training in developing countries at the same time.
By working together the team of volunteers delivered 288 refurbished tools to TFSR headquarters in Southampton last week, along with with 20 saws and a quantity of machine tools and haberdashery items. This week a volunteer is driving down with around 15 sewing machines. This is excellent news – not only are the tools and machines not going into landfill, they are helping give life-changing opportunities to families.
The two pictures show how rusty tools are made new by the volunteers in the refurbishment workshop and on the right you can see the new shelving for the workshop (purchased with funds donated by our Club’s Community Service Commitee).
Old unwanted tools are still required….please contact Bob Anderson or contact us via our website. Volunteers are also welcome (“hours to suit!!”)
Picture: New shelving & newly refurbished tools. Picture credit: John Burton.
To find out more about Pilgrim’s Hospices.
To find out more about Tools for Self Reliance.
Click here for the latest TFSR newsletter, which tell you about their latest shipment to Malawi.
