Southwell Methodist Church

Tools for Self-Reliance

Some people living in Africa have no hand tools or even sometimes the skills to use them. A national charity, Tools for Self Reliance (TFSR) regularly sends unwanted, yet usable tools from across the UK to partner organisations in Africa where tool kit distribution and training within projects is given.

A group of volunteers working for TFSR meets regularly within the church. The group receives unwanted hand tools, sorts, cleans, refurbishes and places them into kits. They are then sent through TFSR HQ to meet many local needs in various African countries. In Southwell, the local TFSR group started in January 2001 based from the Neepe hall under the Church. In fact it is the only Church in the town with a workbench!

Some of the 16 volunteers meet twice a month, on the middle and last Monday evenings of each month 18.00 - 20.00 and 18.00 - 21.30 respectively (except bank holidays) for an active work session. Some volunteers take tools home for improvement between sessions.

Tools needed are any for hand work in wood, metal, leather, building, general and vehicle maintenance as well as hand sewing machines particularly.

In its first 7 years the group has already sent 65 kits totalling around 4000 tools and around 90 sewing machines, all destined for African Countries. In addition 4 van loads of un-refurbished tools have also been sent to Africa or other charities.

If you have tools or time on your hands and you feel your gifts can help please make contact. You may like to visit the national web site www.tfsr.org

For further information click here

Office Address:

Prebend Passage

Westgate

Southwell

Nottinghamshire

NG25 0JH