Tools with a Mission – TWAM
TWAM is a Christian charity that collects unwanted usable tools, refurbishes them, and sorts them into trade tool kits for livelihood creation. TWAM has a mission to empower people and groups in need, offering them a way through tools to put poverty in the past for good and begin their own sustainable careers. In doing so, TWAM also enriches local UK communities through volunteering opportunities and waste reduction, contributing significantly to environmental sustainability.
History
Tabs has supported TWAM for over twenty years, initially by providing storage accommodation in the Plassey Street church complex for tools collected locally, and thereafter financially, in the period 2010-2020, contributing to the costs of running the Bute Lane TWAM Cymru Unit.
Regrettably, the Bute Lane facility is no longer in operation, due to a TWAM reorganisation.
Tabs Contribution since 2020
The majority of the volunteers in the Bute Lane TWAM facility were members of Tabs, and following the closure of the Unit in 2020, the collection of tools in the Cardiff Area has continued, being managed by members of the earlier volunteers.
The management of Hebron Hall Christian Centre in Dinas Powis have graciously made storage space available to TWAM. However, note that there are no workshop facilities – merely storage.
Tools are collected by TWAM / Tabs volunteers and others in the locality, and aggregated in Hebron Hall.
A van from TWAM picks up all collected tools on a five-weekly rota throughout the year.
Your local TWAM collectors are Andrew (andrewk@twam.uk) and Quentin (quentinp@twam.co.uk).
Tools collected
In 2025, TWAM sent 23 containers, filled with 20,947 tools, (over 200 tonnes) to six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Each one of these tools will have contributed to changing lives and communities for the better. Further details of the impact of these tools are available on the TWAM website.
Tools collected include: Gardening Tools, Building Tools, Carpenters Tools, Electricians Tools, Mechanics Tools, Plumbers Tools, Power Tools, Garage Workshop Tools, Sewing Machines, Knitting Machines, Haberdashery, IT Equipment, Bibles.
A few caveats!
· Tools should be complete and in working order! – Rust / blunt – no problem!
· No woodworm! And that’s it! We are the ultimate in recycling!! Contact andrew@twam.uk any time!