Supporting Tools With A Mission

Our Efforts to support the charity - Tools With A Mission

Some 21 months ago, we decided to help collect tools and equipment for Tools With A Mission or TWAM based in Ipswich. We had performed a similar exercise in years past through the efforts of Brother Brian, based at Saint John Fishers in Prittlewell. 

Last October, TWAM were present at our very first Community Fayre in 2016 when the public met them, took leaflets and even donated items on the day; a very nice sewing machine was one of the items handed over from memory.

TWAM at our Community Fayre in 2016

To hold an appeal that did not involve asking people for money was a refreshing change for once but not without its challenges. We lobbied several parishes of several denominations and individuals to come forward with items that they no longer required but for some people it was a task for when they got around to it. The logistics of organising a collection within parishes proved challenging also, with clashes with other appeals, clashes with similar projects already in progress and concerns about logistics and where would all items be stored before being collected.

We did receive support from across the Southend Borough though and in particular we had tremendous support from the parish of Saint Saviour's in Westcliff-on-Sea. They are a forward thinking parish brimming with ideas for recycling, helping others and bringing the community together all under the guidance of Revd Lee, so to have their support was both fantastic and reassuring.

Collected tools from Saint Saviours Westcliff-on-Sea

We put a very large sturdy cardboard box into Saint Saviours with a TWAM sign on the side which was overflowing with donations on collection and with other personal collections we simply stored items in our houses in readiness for the removal day. We also had donations of two sewing machines with materials and sewing accessories also from two very generous families from the parish of Saint George and the English Martyrs in Shoeburyness too which filled up an estate car with the seats down.

For our second Community Fayre last month, we made a table display with a sewing machine in the middle and several TWAM leaflets and newsletters to remind people of how they can help, and with the generous help from the parish of Sacred Heart, Southchurch, we were able to store every item collected in the parish garage for TWAM to send a van down from Ipswich to collect.

Tools in the garage waiting to go to TWAM

We hope the items help others less fortunate to grow and manage crops, make a living and support their families and community, and we are hoping to be able to give an idea of where exactly in the world the bulk of the tools collected end up.

Colin the driver in sunny Southend having loaded up at Sacred Heart, Southchurch

To find out more about TWAM visit their website at http://www.twam.uk/ or
follow them on twitter @TWAMGB or
via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toolswithamission

Standing room only in the van back to Ipswich

Learning by Observing; Saint Saviours Eco Coffee Morning May 21st 2016

On visiting the Eco Coffee and Swap Shop at Saint Saviour's Anglican parish in Westcliff-on-Sea recently I was privileged to see how they make it an annual success, and to see how their community get things done in a different way to how we would operate.

A sign stated that to be 'Christian was to take care of our environment', and the community were doing this thoroughly with information and ideas everywhere to be seen as well as recycling tubs for ink cartridges, mobile phones, stamps, batteries and even Council recycling bags to take home with you. The tubs were all labelled 'Caring for God's Creations' with an explanation as to how these are recycled and where the money raised from the mobile and stamp recycling goes. They had a swap shop running that you could take items to for a voucher to exchange for something else if you wished or you could simply donate to help others. They were reusing items to make crafts and they had a raffle of items including items that were eco-friendly. Reverend Father Lee Mullen was quietly sitting at a stall making crafts backing up the parish with action which was very good to see instead of the customary token hello before retreating out of view. Amidst all this, the church was open. With the Church at the centre of this event there was even a chance for quiet reflection and that was the balance that created an air of calm amongst the excitement.

Just one of the ideas for people to discover

The organising left nothing to chance as signs directing you to the different areas were easy to follow and there was information just everywhere. The people were warm and inviting, the drinks and cakes were fantastic but the detail and attention could be found in everything. For instance, they were selling 'Kit Kats' that were Fairtrade 'Kit Kats' ensuring a decent wage for those involved in the production of the chocolate which is of course only 'fair'. Care for others and care for the environment was the wrapper for the days event.

In line with our very own CAFOD LiveSimply award that we are pursuing this gave a great opportunity to preview what our event could achieve later in the year. We plan to hold a community event in a hall providing information on a range of initiatives to help local people, support and protect the environment and do it inside a Christian environment. Through a conscious decision to take care of our resources and to look after our environment we wish to adhere to the duty of care outlined in Laudato Si by Pope Francis.

Of course an event like this only works with the backing of the community regardless of the exhibits, information and support that is available on the day. The Knights of Saint Columba covering Southend are not tied to any specific parish as we work everywhere in the Borough of Southend but we hope we can offer something to the community once we have our date set around October time.

Naturally we will be providing refreshments such as Fairtrade tea, coffee, and yes even Faitrade Kit Kats with thanks to Saint Saviours parish for the 'heads up'!

By Damian Dillon
Knights of Saint Columba 
Southend-on-Sea 192