Work, learning & creativity

Tools and Upcycling

Our Tools Workshop refurbishes donated tools for the charity Tools for Self Reliance, so people in Africa can learn a trade and build a livelihood, and turns whatever cannot be saved into something new.

About the workshop

A Good Cause, Chosen by Our Community

Tools for Self Reliance (TfSR) is a separate, national organisation. When Camphill residents suggested supporting a charity, after much deliberation our community chose TfSR, and we set up our Tools Workshop, which hosts the TfSR MK charity.

Old tools donated by local people are mended and refurbished to the highest possible standard. Each year workshop participants restore around 1,000 tools, contributing more than 30,000 tools to the cause so far.

Refurbishing a tool at the workbench
Restored tools on the workshop bench
Members of the Tools Workshop team
Where the tools go

From Milton Keynes to Africa

Restored Here

Donated and unwanted tools are cleaned, sharpened and refurbished by our workshop participants.

Sent to TfSR

They go to Tools for Self Reliance in Southampton, the collection point for all TfSR centres in the UK.

Put to Work

Tools reach projects in Ghana, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zambia, supporting skills and livelihoods.

Upcycling

Making New Things from Old

The workshop also gives people the chance to develop creative projects from scrap materials and tools that cannot be refurbished, from push bike maintenance to woodwork.

Our most recent project, The Genesis of Guitars, began with two commemorative guitars made for Camphill’s 40th anniversary and led to commissioned and restored guitars built with the Gardens and Arts & Crafts teams. The guitars are on display in the Camphill Café, Monday to Friday, 10am to 3:30pm.

A guitar made in the Tools Workshop
Gallery

Inside the Tools Workshop

Inside the Tools Workshop
Working on a tool
A finished Tools for Self Reliance box
Working together at the vice
Painting a tool box
A bird box made in the workshop
Get involved

Help Us Restore More Tools

Donate Your Old Tools

We welcome most hand tools, power tools and musical instruments, including unwanted or broken guitars. Bring them to the tools workshop at Michael’s Akyre, Sterling Close, Pennyland, Milton Keynes, MK15 8AN, Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 3:30pm (closed 12pm to 1pm), or call 01908 235000 first.

Support the Workshop

Gifts help fund the workshop, its materials and its staff.

Meet the artists

The Makers of Our Tools Workshop

All artists

Artist profiles for this workshop are coming soon.

Tools for Self Reliance

Find Out More About TfSR

Tools for Self Reliance is a national charity with centres across the UK.