Meet Dave, one of our very longstanding volunteers who has seen Food Works grow over the last 7 years. As you may have noticed, we collect an incredible amount of bananas from supermarkets. Luckily, Dave has found a way to incorporate this alongside his volunteering at Tools for Africa (TfA)! TfA collect and refurbish used tools before sending them to community based artisans in rural Africa, sometimes in our old banana boxes.
1) How long have you been volunteering at the Food Works? What initially drew you here, and what kept you here?
I’ve been volunteering for Food Works since 2018 I think – in the warehouse at Attercliffe, then off the Parkway, then Handsworth (briefly) and then at Sharrow. I spent a lot of time painting the floor at the Parkway!
2) How did you find out about Sheffield Tools for Africa?
I used to do the quiz in the Shakespeare in Heeley a long time ago with people from work, and another group who did it always won – they turned out to be the Tools for Africa group. I joined them about 15 years ago.
3) Have you been able to see the fruits of your labour? At the kitchen, you get to see people enjoying the meals you’ve helped cook. Have you been able to see the impact the tools you’ve renovated have had in communities in Africa?
Yes – we get to see stories from Tools for Self Reliance (who we used to be associated with) and now Tools with a Mission (https://www.twam.uk). They have relationships with various organisations in Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi and DRC.
4) What have you learnt in both of these volunteering roles?
Both organisations are trying to reduce waste, and to make something useful out of stuff that would otherwise be thrown away. It’s absolutely amazing to be a part of that.
If you would like to donate your time or tools, Sheffield TfA has a website with details on how to volunteer and how to donate tools.
Interested in volunteering at Food Works like Dave?
Visit our volunteering page to find out the different ways you can get involved at Food Works.
