Located close to the the town centre, this is an ideal project for those who need to develop practical skills and the mindset to return to work. Led by an experienced mentor, the workshop will provide woodworking and metalworking resources. It will pass on core skills in making furniture, decorative items and repairing broken items. For those who are out of work, either from lack of practical skills, or from fear of entering a workplace, this is an ideal route to acquire the necessary confidence and skills, as a prelude to returning to work. Flexible Start-up workspace may also be available for those transitioning from learning into productivity and on to gainful employment. Additional to teaching the practical skills, personal support will be provided on an individual basis. Other relevant local support organisations may be called up to help, as needed, for individuals with special needs.

What we'll deliver:

• Equip Workshop and fit out
• Engage mentor - already identified
• Publicise to local bodies as a resource for their disabled, disadvantaged and unemployed clients
• Recruit volunteers to teach specialist skills
• Invite local disability and support organisations, and schools to visit
• Recruit trainees and learners via local contacts with Councils and Turning Tides, etc.

Why it's a great idea:

* Rebuild confidence in those without it, so that they can interact better in the community, improve their standing, add stability to their life, and gain employment. * Teach prized craft skills. * offer shared workspace Many of the volunteers we meet are in need of a route by which they can start in work or return to work. However, without even core skills, and lacking in confidence, they face an uphill struggle. Our Acting Chief Officer and founding Trustee (Martin Osment), has the benefit of seeing just such an enterprise run first hand, as that was his father's vocation - Manager and Chief Instructor, running a woodwork rehabilitation workshop for some 50 people, originally recovering from Tuberculosis. Martin was himself taught woodworking in that same workshop, as well as at school. What can be more rewarding than having hand-crafted something useful which will last many years and be a joy to its owner? We expect that trainees will acquire both craft skills and life skills.

Steps to get it done:

• Set up workshop - 4 weeks from funding
• Recruit trainees to start 5 weeks from funding
• Produce enough output to cover overheads by the end of the 3rd month, the parent charity covering them until then.

We have workshop space & a Mentor, who will self-fund from his own output. Additional skills will be added as needed, & volunteers will be welcomed alongside trainees. A primary object is to get trainees to transition from being Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET), into productive working. The workshop will also collect waste timber locally, for re-use, saving it from being burned or buried. Collection will be done by the parent charity's own vehicles, or donors can deliver. A typical training plan might span: Week 1 - induction, health and safety, overview; Week 2 - introduction to hand tools and their purposes; Week 3 - introduction to power tools and their functions; Week 4 - introduction to materials - hardwood, softwood, metals, plastics; finishes; Week 5 - cutting ,forming, measuring, shaping Week 6 - joints -dovetail, mortice & tenon, adhesives; Week 7 - commence personal construction project; Week 8 - Complete personal construction project, review, certification.