The Conservation Foundation is delighted to be partnering Dobbies first ever tool amnesty which takes place throughout May at its 38 centres around the country. The unwanted garden tools collected will be given to our Tools Shed project.

Dobbies customers are being encouraged to bring in whatever non-powered tools they’re looking to replace – spades, forks, hoes, rakes, shovels and trowels and everything in between. In return, customers who donate to the scheme will receive 20% off the Kent and Stowe range of tools stocked in Dobbies garden centres.

At the end of the month, donated tools will be sent to the Tools Shed workshop at HMP Edinburgh where they are repaired and refurbished, teaching prisoners practical skills that can be used to find a job post-release. The finished tools are then given away free to schools and community groups. Find out how to get free tools at  https://conservationfoundation.co.uk/projects/tools/

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies, below, said: “We’re delighted to be teaming up with The Conservation Foundation and launching this scheme for the very first time, we know our gardening-loving customers will get fully behind this initiative and help equip schools and community groups with the tools they need to enable their gardening projects. Whatever you have lying in your shed that you don’t use, we can take those tools off your hands and put them to good use.

“Gardening is a physical activity so having tools in good condition is so important. If your tools have damage or rust, or if you’re not sure if the tool is fixable, bring it in and our teams in store will help you. If you choose to donate it then they’ll also assist in choosing the right tool for you.”

Since Tool Shed’s pilot scheme with HMP Wandsworth in 2006 was launched, the project has made it possible for thousands of people to get their hands on the tools they need to create a better, greener environment for local communities. The last amnesty Tools Shed ran collected over 5000 tools which went a wide variety of projects from community allotments to sensory hospital gardens amongst a host of other community green spaces around the UK.