Knitting and Sewing Machines

Reuse

Workaid refurbishes tools and equipment, then sends to vocational training projects in UK and overseas, to help vulnerable and disadvantaged people to learn trade skills; more info here. They accept donations, including all trade tools (carpentry, plumbing, electrical, building, blacksmithing, welding, lathes, motor mechanic tools), manual and electric sewing machines, knitting machines, leather working, upholstering, haberdashery, wools and yarns, sturdy adult bicycles, horticultural tools, typewriters and many other items. There are not any very local collection points; nearest are Faringdon, Abingdon, Tollard Royal (nr Salisbury), Wesbury on Trym (nr Bristol) and Tilehurst (nr Reading). Contact 01494 775220 or email admin@workaid.org

Tools for Self Reliance is a UK charity, based near Southampton, that refurbishes good quality hand tools (not gardening tools) and Singer sewing machines.  More info at www.tfsr.org. These are refurbished and used to assist some of Africa’s poorest communities. For a list of tools that are accepted, click here.

Repair

Please tell us if you know of a local repairer.

Recycle

Machines that are too old to reuse or repair can be placed in the small electrical appliances container or in metal reycling container (if manual) at Marlborough Household Recycling Centre.