Who are we and what do we do?
TOOLS FOR SELF RELIANCE groups collect old and unwanted hand tools from all

Group of Tanzanian craftspeople Itahwa

over the UK. Volunteers clean, repair and sharpen them, and send tool kits to grass roots community groups in several African countries. TFSR CYMRU is a totally independent charity based in Crickhowell in South Wales, and we collect tools from across Wales.  TFSR CYMRU presently concentrates its efforts in Tanzania where we work with our long-standing partner SIDO – The Small Industries Development Organisation.

TFSR Cymru volunteers (we welcome women volunteers too!)

TFSR Cymru currently have about 70 volunteers, men and women aged 14 to 85. We meet at one of several sessions a week in our workshop, where we repair and renovate hand tools by the thousand. The tools are donated by individuals or collected by a wide variety of other organisations from across Wales – Rotary Clubs, Schools, WI groups, Church groups. We have been very successful at collecting but we still have a shortage of certain items, especially tools for blacksmiths.

Could you work without tools? 
In the past 29 years we have sent over 600 tool kits (each valued at over £1,500) to craftsmen and women in rural communities of Africa. Tools mean work, and the chance to shape the future is just as important to a young person in Tanzania or Ghana as in Britain.

Volunteers are always needed to join us in Crickhowell, or at one of the 6 other TFSR groups in Wales. Men or women any age, bring along your skills, or come and learn how to handle a hammer. There’s always plenty to do from cleaning and sharpening tools, to making and packing crates. There is always somebody around to help show you what needs doing.

Money!  Although the tools pour in and are being continually shipped overseas (or more likely because of this), we also need cash to operate. For instance, it costs us £20 to buy 4 new saw files, which we include in every carpentry kit for a group of workers.

FIND OUT  more about our work by visiting our website here.

Opening times for refurbishing sessions: Tuesday to Friday: 9.30 am – 3pm.  Tuesday and Thursday evenings: 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm

Opening times for TOOL SALES & tools drop off: Tuesday – Friday: 9.30 am – 3 pm.  Saturday mornings: 10.30 am – 12.30pm

Contact us:
Volunteers are always welcome; simply contact us:- click here.
or ring 0330 355 0122

TFSR Cymru
The Tools Workshop
Upper House Farm
Standard Street
Crickhowell
NP8 1BZ