Speaker Report - Norman Rhodes on Workaid

Speaker Report

Norman Rhodes from Workaid

On the 21st January 2016 we were treated to an excellent talk by Norman Rhodes of Workaid, a remarkable charitable organisation, recently awarded The Queen's Award for Voluntary Services.

Workaid collect used tools, sewing machines and typewriters from across the UK through a network of 75 collectors. This equipment is then centralised at their facility in Chesham where it is evaluated, restored and packed for shipping to partners in East Africa. Upon receipt people  are trained on the equipment before it is donated to them so that Workaid really are gifting livelihoods. In total circa eight packed full shipping containers are dispatched each year at a cost of approximately £10k each.

In order to make all this happen over 230 volunteers give at least half a day each week at the Chesham facility, cleaning, repairing, refurbishing and packing for dispatch the items received. Surplus equipment or items not suitable to be sent to East Africa are sold in the adjacent Workaid shop to help fund the annual operating costs in excess of £200k.

To support this fantastic operation as they celebrate their 30th anniversary, Workaid need donations of unwanted equipment, volunteers to join their team in Chesham and financial contributions towards their expenses. For more information please check them out at www.workaid.org .

Report by Rtn Gareth Vest

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Norman Rhodes from Workaid

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