The idea
Against The Grain deliver therapeutically-led, making-based community projects and alternative provision for young people in West Oxfordshire.
We create meaningful and fundamental change within the local community, delivering innovative and accessible woodworking and design sessions, with a focus on improving the lives of the people we work with.
We work through a therapeutic and trauma-informed approach with young people in Key Stages 3 & 4, including those with special educational needs and social, emotional and mental health needs, at risk of exclusion or not currently in education.
Our practical sessions develop learning and workplace skills to promote further education and training, encouraging engagement in positive activities and improving wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem.
Our skill-based sessions develop knowledge and woodworking abilities to enhance interests and passions, nourishing a sense of community, belonging and purpose, and nurturing happy & healthy lives.
What we'll deliver
- Purchase a van for use to complete community projects
- Positive activities for local West Oxfordshire young people
- Creative projects delivered for the local community to enjoy
Why it's a great idea
Purchasing a van will allow us to transport new and recycled materials from across the county to our workshop space at Blenheim Palace, ensuring that the young people we work with have the resources they need to create projects they are proud of and deliver them to their local community.
It is important that the young people we work with are included and welcomed into all different areas and spaces within their local community and the use of a van will allow us to deliver the projects created by them directly to their local spaces, facilitating a full-circle project outcome for them in delivering a project that their local community can enjoy.
Our van will be integral to the desired impact of our project - demonstrating to young people that West Oxfordshire has the resources to participate in and create work you can be proud of, as well as establishing a sense of belonging and purpose through delivering work to improve and enhance their local spaces and benefit their local community.
Steps to get it done
- Purchasing our van
- Collecting local materials for projects
- Creating projects with local young people
- Delivering projects for the local community
