A LINK-UP between Bromsgrove Men in Sheds and Redditch Rotary will mean unwanted tools being sent to Africa to help create livelihoods for people living there.
It has been 12 months since the Bromsgrove Shedders received the news that the Stoke Prior unit – where 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, and 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 were not being used, and limited storage at the new Shed, the Bromsgrove Shedders were keen to find a solution which would enable the support they had received to benefit others.
One of the Shedders then heard of an appeal by 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. The centres provide training in trades, such as carpentry and mechanics.
Having contacted Mike Luck, who coordinates Redditch Rotary’s involvement with TWAM, and after a couple of car-load deliveries to Redditch Rotary’s collection centre, the club’s president Steve Robson and Mike visited the Shed to collect the last of the Bromsgrove group’s current surplus tools.
Men in Sheds is run by Age UK Worcestershire. Speaking on behalf of the Bromsgrove Shedders, 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 we could not do what we do without the incredible support that we receive from the community.
“We also know, first-hand, 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 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 anyone with unused tools who would like to help the scheme should email the club at redditch [email protected].
Following its relocation from Stoke Prior to a shared unit with H20 Restoration Ltd in Finstall, Bromsgrove Men In Sheds is now back to operating six sessions a week, including a ‘mixed’ session on a Thursday afternoon which is open to anybody aged 50 or over.
Anyone who is interested in joining Bromsgrove Men in Sheds, or supporting the scheme, should call Jo at Age UK North Worcestershire on 01527 570490 or visit ageuk.org.uk/northworcs/activities-and-events/men-insheds/ to find out more information on the scheme.
