Workaid: The Old Boot Factory
Workaid, The Old Boot Factory, 71 Townsend Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 2AA
Unwanted tools and equipment are refurbished by a team of volunteers at Workaid. The refurbished tools are then sent to vocational training projects where they help young people learn trade skills and start their own businesses. Workaid was founded in 1986 and since then it has sent in access of 29,000 sewing and knitting machines and 17,000 tool kits to 3800 vocational training projects that have helped change the lives of an estimated 190,000 people.
Workaid is located in the former Boot Factory, an atmospheric Victorian factory building. Tours of the workshop provide a fascinating glimpse into the scale of Workaid's operation to tackle poverty in East Africa. Over 200 volunteers clean, repair, and refurbish vintage tools, large machines such a lathes, sewing and knitting machines and so much more. Staff and volunteers will explain to visitors the history of the building, how Workaid came into being, and how it has grown to become a force for changing the lives of thousands of people. Wherever possible all donated items are refurbished and recycled for future use. There will be a display of some of the things Workaid currently does as a charity, as well as history about the Boot Factory and of Gifford Newton who used the premises for many years before Workaid moved in.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 08 September:
- 11am to 3pm
Location & directions
Workaid, The Old Boot Factory, 71 Townsend Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 2AA
- Telephone number:
- +441494775220
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The building is fully accessible to wheelchair users with a lift to the first floor. Wheelchair users can park in the carpark close to the side entrance which has a ramp into the building.
Additional information
Workaid was awarded the accolade of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2015. Parking is immediately in front of the shop, or in the courtyard to the left of the Old Boot Factory. Workaid is about fifteen minutes' walk from Chesham Underground station (Metropolitan line). There is a local map located in the ticket hall.
