We hope you will enjoy this snapshot into our UK mission, from one of our hardworking collectors. Andrew, who is based in Penarth just south of Cardiff in Wales, has written us the following short article, expressing hope for TWAM's continued growth in Wales...

Andrew (one of our TWAM Collectors and Speakers) and his wife Joan

The newly established Penarth Community Network Project has nominated 2026 as “Penarth Year of Community Connections and Collaborations”. On February 21st , a Community Showcase event was held, where any and all local projects or organisations were offered the chance to participate and demonstrate their wares and offerings.

Andrew, one of TWAM's Penarth-based Tool Collectors and Speakers leapt at the chance. Together with his wife Joan, his showcase pitch for TWAM was wildly successful!

The focus of the event was on how local organisations might come together to connect and collaborate, rather than working alone. And with this in mind, it was likely no accident that the TWAM pitch was located not only adjacent to Repair Café Wales, but also opposite Benthyg Penarth!

Benthyg (“A Library of Things”, literal translation: -Borrow or Lend) has been established locally, the concept being that people can borrow – for a nominal fee – items which they then do not need to purchase. This might include, for example, a car roof box, a coffee urn, tools such as an electric hedge cutter, and so on. And their organisation depends on donated items including tools!

TWAM Penarth lost their refurbishment workshop facility during the Covid pandemic in 2020, and found it impossible to locate suitable new premises. However, Andrew is now excited at the benefit that collaboration with these other local initiatives might bring in the future. He already collects excess tools from Men’s Sheds all around the Cardiff area, and also from Benthyg!

"This has got to be leading somewhere," he tells us. "Maybe there is a new combined workshop somewhere over the horizon! Watch this space!"

We pray for the continued blessing of such opportunities such as this. Thanks to your support, TWAM has grown to the position that our mission of sustainability can be felt, not only in Africa, but close to home as well.

Once upon a time... TWAM haberdashery volunteers at the now-closed Penarth Refurbishment Centre