18,500+
Life-changing skills learnt through our training projects
400+
Staff and volunteers keeping our work moving across the UK
15,700+
Tools sent this year to support workshops and small businesses
40+
Community projects supported across the UK and Africa
We are Tools For Self Reliance
We are a charity supporting people to learn a trade, earn a living and build brighter futures.
We provide volunteering opportunities and practical projects here in the UK.
Where we work
We work in Ghana, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, and the UK, supporting the delivery of skills training and toolkits. Our volunteers nationwide refurbish donated tools and fundraise to help make this work possible.
What we do
We help people build lasting change.
In Africa, we fund training that enables individuals to learn a trade and earn a living. In the UK, volunteers refurbish donated tools, giving them new purpose, and we also support national projects and apprenticeships here at home.
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Support us
Your support can change lives
Every donation helps someone take their first steps towards a sustainable working future. We receive no government funding, and it’s people like you who make our work possible. By giving today, you’ll help provide training, and opportunities – the tools for people to build secure, independent livelihoods.
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Stay connected with us
Sign up for our emails to hear stories from our projects, see the difference vocational training is making, and keep up with news, events and ways to get involved.
Donate tools
Your support can change lives
Please bring your tools, sewing machines, haberdashery items and plywood to our Netley Marsh workshops on Mondays and Tuesdays, between 10am – 4pm. Take a look at our ‘Tools We Need‘ list to find out how your donations can best support our work.
Please give us a call first on 02380 869697 to make sure we’re ready to help. We also have a network of volunteer collectors across the country – contact us to find out if there is a collector in your area.
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Donate to support
Donate today and empower communities to create lasting change. Your support provides opportunities that help build brighter, more secure working futures.
Featured Stories
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire becomes Patron of Tools for Self Reliance
We are delighted to announce that HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mr Nigel Atkinson, has become Patron of the charity.
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Forging Links Newsletter – Autumn 26
Read our latest quarterly newsletter, Forging Links - Autumn 2026
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Christmas Stars Workshop – Thursday 19 November
Join our Christmas Stars Workshop, and create festive decorations using a variety of materials, with tea, coffee and homemade cake included.
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Tool & Haberdashery Sales at our Netley Marsh Workshop
Come along to our annual Christmas Tool & Haberdashery Sale this November!
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