Tutor: Brian Barker
Project Worker: Kevin Jones
Project Worker: Paul Woodger
The Carpentry workshop offers trainees many opportunities in the construction and restoration of a wide range of products. Tutors focus on showing trainees a range of wood working techniques which trainees then use in order to design and make an item of their own, help to produce a range of gifts for sale in the centre’s shop or help to make up more individual items to a customers special order. This includes the complete refurbishment of garden or indoor furniture.
The workshop has set rules and procedures to ensure the health and safety of all working within it. Trainees learn to comply with these as well as an awareness of and co-operation with others, be they trainees, volunteers or members of staff. Achieving this tolerant co-working requires a high level of self-discipline from the trainees.
A major concern, aside from a safe working environment, is achieving consistent quality in the finished products. For the trainees, seeing their products on sale to the public on site is a vital part of reinforcing the need for taking care and having a sense of pride during every stage of production: planning, designing, measuring, construction and finishing. This also generates much needed revenue for the centre.
Shop stock includes a variety of nesting boxes for Birds, Bats, Bugs, Butterfly’s and Bees. Bird Feeders and Bird Tables, both free standing and wall mounted. Garden planters in various shapes and sizes. Garden benches and arbours are also made to customer orders.
Seasonal items that are available include Nativity sets and Christmas log candle holders.
Special orders over the past twelve months have included: A 12 foot long garden planter, Pergolas for Little Havens Hospice, The Salvation Army Rare Breeds Centre and other customers in the local area, A Picket Fence, A 3 seated Arbour and trellis planters for Little Havens Hospice and garden archways. We have also produced a mercy seat and lectern for The Salvation Army Corps in Brightlingsea.
There is a happy working atmosphere in the workshop. Some trainees have returned to assist as volunteers, their assistance in invaluable to the department. The department also has many talented volunteers from the general public who set a clear example to the trainees and assist them to achieve results of which they are rightly proud.