Volunteering
Volunteering is at the heart of Tools for Self Reliance. It’s a chance to meet people, learn new skills and be part of a community, while helping support our work here in the UK and Africa.
For many people, giving their time can have a really positive impact. It can provide a sense of purpose, support mental wellbeing, build confidence and help people stay active and connected. It can also be a chance to share skills and experience, or simply try something new and meet people along the way.
Around 60% of our volunteers have supported TFSR for more than 10 years, which says a lot about our volunteer community.
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
Volunteers at Netley Marsh
Around 100 volunteers are part of our team at Netley Marsh, helping keep everything moving.
In our workshops, volunteers sort, repair and refurbish donated tools, giving them a new lease of life before they are put to use through our programmes. Our retail team runs the ReNew Store and helps manage our online shops on eBay and Vinted.
We also have volunteers supporting our office and administration, helping with events both at Netley Marsh and out in the community.
There’s a real mix of skills, experience and interests among our volunteers, but everyone plays a part in keeping TFSR running.
Volunteers across the UK
Our UK volunteer network reaches far beyond Netley Marsh. Around 25 volunteer groups across the country collect, sort, repair and refurbish tools, as well as raising vital funds to support our work.
Many of these groups have been part of TFSR for more than 30 years, building strong local communities around their shared interest in practical skills and making good use of tools that might otherwise go to waste.
Together, our UK-wide network includes around 250 volunteers, who give their time and expertise to support TFSR in all sorts of ways. Some groups also collect tools from people in their local area, making it easier for donations to find their way to us.
Supporting new careers with Building Heroes
Our work in the UK also includes partnerships that help people build new careers.
We work with Building Heroes, a charity supporting ex-military personnel as they move into careers in construction. Through training, practical trade skills and employment support, Building Heroes helps people develop the skills and experience they need for their next step.
We’re pleased to support this work by helping provide access to the tools and equipment needed as people train for a new career.
It’s another way that practical skills, the right tools and opportunity can come together to help someone build a working future.
Stay connected with us
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.