Tools to Make a Difference

Bromsgrove Men in Sheds have linked up with Redditch Rotary to support an initiative that collects unwanted tools and sends them to Africa to help create livelihoods.

It has been 12 months since the Bromsgrove Shedders received the news that the Stoke Prior Unit (in which the Bromsgrove Shed had been located since 2016) was being put up for sale. Over the years, the Bromsgrove Shedders have benefited from the incredible generosity of the community, including donations of a variety of tools, but when packing up to relocate the Shed to its new premises it became evident just how generous this support had been!!!

With a collection of tools and equipment that weren’t being used, and limited storage at the new Shed, the Bromsgrove Shedders were keen to find a solution that would enable the support that they had received to benefit others. One of the Shedders then heard of an appeal by the Redditch Rotary who were collecting tools on behalf of Tools With A Mission (TWAM).

TWAM’s aim as a charity is to give people in Africa a means to generate a sustainable income by collecting unwanted tools, which are refurbished and packed into trade kits and then sent to dedicated skills training centres in Africa that provide training in trades such as carpentry and mechanics.

With full Shed support, contact was made with Mike Luck (who coordinates Redditch Rotary’s involvement with TWAM) and, after a couple of carload deliveries to Redditch Rotary’s collection centre, Redditch Rotary President Steve Robson and Mike visited the Shed to collect the last of the Shed’s current surplus tools.

Speaking on behalf of the Bromsgrove Shedder’s Age UK North Worcestershire’s Jo Hughes said ‘We are really glad to be able to link up with Redditch Rotary on this initiative. The Shed is such an important part of our local work, but we know that we could not do what we do without the incredible support that we receive from the community. We also know, firsthand, how tools can help to transform lives, but not whilst they are stored away, unused in boxes or when they are sent to landfill, which is why we are so glad that the Shed’s surplus tools can help to make a difference for others.’

The collection of tools for TWAM by Redditch Rotary is an ongoing project so if you have any unused tools, and would like to help, please contact redditchrotary@twam.uk.

Following its relocation from Stoke Prior to a shared unit with H2o Restoration Limited in Finstall, Bromsgrove Men In Sheds is now back to operating six sessions a week (including a ‘Mixed’ session on a Thursday afternoon open to anybody aged 50+). If you, or anybody you know, might be interested in joining and/ or supporting Bromsgrove Men In Sheds please contact Jo Hughes on 01527 570490 or follow this link to find out how you can get involved!