By Lisa Ramsden
NESTLED away in the shadows of Down Cathedral sits a treasure trove of items which may seem mundane to many, but are actually changing lives locally and thousands of miles from home.
A section of the Southwell Buildings at English Street in Downpatrick has been home, for well over 20 years, to Tools for Solidarity.
It’s an organisation which supports people in some of the poorest parts of Africa, helping them become more self-reliant and have hope, as well as helping local people through volunteering opportunities.
The charity’s Downpatrick base since 2003 has a fascinating history.
The former school, which had lain empty for many years before TFS moved in, was part of a social programme back in the 18th century that provided housing and education for poor people.
The team at TFS felt it was serendipity and were delighted to become its new occupants.
Stephen Wood and his brother John are core volunteers, and without them Tools for Solidarity simply wouldn’t exist!
As Stephen explained, the notion for TFS was established in the early 1990s, when a handful of friends began exploring if there was scope for such an initiative.
Prior to this, the siblings had been involved, during the 1980s, with Tools for Self Reliance, in Southampton.
Between 1992 and 2003 the TFS team worked away from their base in Belfast but, as Stephen explained, the addition of the Downpatrick workshop has helped the charity expand its services and reach even further.
The local branch opened in January 2004, and it was a proud day for all associated with TFS.
Stephen added that even though the workshop was far from finished, everyone could see its potential and how valuable it would prove.
In addition to helping projects in Tanzania, through its shipments of overhauled hand tools, sewing machines and other equipment, Stephen explained that it has developed partnerships with a number of organisations, including the local branches of Action Mental Health and Mindwise.
With work tailored to each volunteer, it means no matter your skillset, or experience, there is always some project or task you can put your hand to.
“We are open four days a week, Monday to Thursday, from about 9.30am until 3pm.
“Some volunteers are here daily, whilst others might come in for a morning or afternoon.
“We have about 30 people coming in each week, and not just from Downpatrick, they come from Castlewellan, Ballynahinch, Dundrum and Ardglass and around the district.
“About 70 per cent of our volunteers have what we call extra support needs, such as brain injuries, mental health issues and learning disabilities so not only are we helping people thousands of miles away, but what is special about Downpatrick TFS is that we provide opportunities in this unique workshop environment where everything is hands-on,” he explained.
Stephen added that donations are always welcome, as are expressions of interest, and the charity can be contacted via the tfs.downpatrick@myphone.coop email address or by calling (028) 4461 6171.
He added: “We are all about sustainability, we refurbish all types of tools and sewing machines and these are then shipped to Tanzania.
“Tools are vital for development. If you think about any kind of work, be it making clothes, building a house or fixing your car, you need tools; and what we send out helps enhance people’s lives.
“We support artisans, who already have the skills, and we also support vocational training colleges.
“The projects we support are quite unique. As part of this we set up, in 2007, the very first sewing machine refurbishment programme in Africa, which focuses on maintenance, and it’s still going. Since then we have sent over more than 5,000 sewing machines, trained over 3,000 tailors, and have even trained tailors from other countries who have come to our centres, of which we now have three, to be trained.”
Read the full story in the current issue of the Mourne Observer.
