Contact us - Books2Africa

How can we help you today?

As a charity with limited funds, our priority is to provide answers to all your questions quickly without spending huge amounts on overheads. To help us serve you quicker and reduce our admin costs, please go through the Frequently Asked Questions on this page before sending us a message via the contact form. We aim to respond to all messages within 48 hours. You can also request a callback when completing the contact form if you prefer to speak to someone on the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Donating Books and Computers

What type of books do you and don't you accept?

We take pretty much every type of book regardless of the age or subject. This includes new or used books, written in English, French or any African language, Nursery, Primary, Secondary and University textbooks, Dictionaries, Encyclopaedias and Reference books, Novels, Hobbies and Leisure books, Bibles and Religious books, Unused Notebooks, Exercise books and stationery, Ex library or charity shop books and Comics.

We do not take damaged or illegible books, folders, ring-binders or photocopied materials, brochures, pamphlets or lecture notes, or pornography.

How much volume of books can we accept?

We take in upto 1 million books per year so you can go ahead and packaged your books into boxes and Arrange a collection or drop-off appointment online. However, if you have more than 1,000 books to donate, just drop us a line below with the type of books you have, to confirm they are okay to send.

How do I package and send you my items?

Reuse any strong cardboard box, a suitcase or buy cardboard boxes here. Each box must not weigh more than 20 kg maximum and 60 cm maximum dimension on any side. Use bubble wrap or other stuffing if possible for fragile items such as computers. If donating Apple devices, please remove your iCloud account first. Secure your box with sufficient tape to prevent damage in transit. Then, arrange a collection or drop-off appointment online and write your tracking reference on each box.

My boxes of donated items were not collected

If your boxes were not collected by 6pm on your scheduled collection date for whatever reason, you can reschedule the collection free of charge. Please accept our apologies if it was missed by the courier and you waited all day! This sometimes happens when circumstances beyond the drivers control means they are unable to get to you as planned. Please reschedule your collection by completing our Missed Collection Form and include any feedback for the driver (e.g. how to find your address if its one of those tricky ones).

Receiving Books and Computers

Getting donated books and computers shipped from the UK

We donate and ship books and computers from the UK to individuals and organisation in Africa. You can request donated books and computers for an individual or organisational library in Africa and fund the shipping and clearing costs. Get more information and complete our application form via our request page.

Getting donated books within Africa

Books2Africa’s Distribution Centres in Africa play a crucial role in achieving our mission by acting as learning and distribution hubs where individuals, institutions and communities can access and read thousands of books across a variety of academic levels free of charge, as well as having the option to acquire any book by contributing up to £1 per book to fund our distribution centre costs. Find more information on our Africa Distribution Centre page.

Contact Form

Complete our secure online form below.

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We accept used and new books, computers, shoes and other educational resources. For more information or to arrange a collection or drop-off, go to the Donate Books and Computers Page

You can request a shipment of books and other educational resources for an institution or project in Africa. For more information or to apply, go to the Request Books and Computers Page

You can make a financial donation online, find out how to become a corporate sponsor on the Sponsor Our Work page or message us about becoming a Distribution Partner in Africa.

Volunteers are crucial to our work. We receive a lot of enquiries about international volunteering opportunities and cannot reply to all of them. Please go to the Volunteering Page to find answers and apply before the closing date. No applications can be made or accepted after the closing date.

We welcome any feedback or complaints from supporters or staff because it helps us improve our services. You have the choice of completing the rest of the form anonymously. All complaints are dealt with in line with our Grievance Procedure and Confidentiality policy.

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UK Address

Books2Africa UK
Unit 2, Barton Business Park,
New Dover Road,
Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3AA
United Kingdom

Opening Times

We are open for deliveries, volunteers and visitors on Mondays to Fridays, 9am – 5pm except on Bank Holidays.

Directions

Travelling by Car:

Use the postcode CT1 3AA in your satnav and follow directions to Barton Business Park via Apple Down Way.

Travelling by Train:

Get a train to either Canterbury East Station or Canterbury West Station. Get a taxi on arrival to Unit 2, Barton Business Park, New Dover Road, via Apple Down Way.

Directions

Travelling by Bus:

Route A – Get Bus 12, 15 or 16 from the Canterbury Bus Station, stop at Old Gate Inn bus stop (3 minutes ride) and walk down Appledown Way to Unit 2, Barton Business Park (15 minutes walk).

Route B – Get Bus 23A from the Canterbury Bus Station and stop at Barton Estate, Pilgrims Way bus stop (6 minutes ride) and walk through the pedestrian path on Pilgrims Way to Unit 2, Barton Business Park (7 minutes walk)

Check bus times in Kent.