Handcrafted

We love being able to facilitate our trainees passions. 🎨🏡

One of our trainees is an incredibly talented painter. So we helped install this wall mounted easel in their home, giving them their own dedicated space to keep creating.

Because creativity isn’t just about making something beautiful. It can build confidence, give us purpose and provide something positive to focus on.

And we can’t wait to see what gets painted next. 🖌️✨

One of our trainees has created this incredible decoupage flamingo - and just look at that detail! 🦩✨

We’re constantly amazed by what our trainees come up with. 👏🪵🐾

Just look at this handmade wooden dog bowl stand, designed and made by one of our trainees in the Darlington workshop.

From an idea to a beautifully finished piece - it’s a brilliant example of creativity, skill and attention to detail in our workshops every day.

And most importantly, it’s something to be properly proud of.

We think there might be a very lucky dog waiting for dinner tonight… 🐶

It was a pleasure to welcome the Deputy PCC to our Durham Hub and spend time with other organisations doing vital work to support women across County Durham and Darlington.

We’re grateful for the PCC’s investment in our community-based support for women, and we hope that working together and sharing what works will ultimately help even more women facing complex challenges to access the support, community and opportunities they need.

Thank you all for coming to see us – and for taking a look around the workshop too! 🪚

A little bit of Handcrafted 🤝 a little bit of Artizan International = a very good day

Last week we got together for a day of making, sharing, learning and swapping ideas.

We spent the day talking all things empowerment, community cafe, practicalities and plenty more besides ☕️🪚✨

All of this was made possible thanks to Imagine Foundation e.V., supporting Artizan as they continue to grow.

Two organisations, lots of shared values and plenty of ideas for what we could do together next… 👀🧼🫧

Watch this space!

Every new member of the Handcrafted team starts in the same way: by making a chopping board. 🪵

It’s a bit of a tradition - but there’s a reason behind it.

We take timber that might otherwise have been discarded or overlooked, and with a bit of time, care and attention, turn it into something useful, beautiful and worth being proud of.

That idea of seeing potential is at the heart of Handcrafted. We don’t define people by what has happened before, the challenges they faced or where they find themselves today. We believe in giving people the time, support and opportunities they need to build confidence, discover their strengths and create something new.

So welcome to the team Jamie - and congratulations on passing the unofficial Handcrafted initiation. 👏

And if you fancy making a chopping board of your own… we currently have a number of vacancies open across Handcrafted.

Take a look at the opportunities on our website and come and join the team. 👀

We are on the lookout for individuals to join us as Housing Support Officers in Darlington, Middlesbrough and Gateshead!

Our support workers play a key role in empowering our trainees and residents to realise their own potential and find independence. If this sounds like it could be you, head to our website to apply!

Not just the pen - the case too!

Another lovely piece coming out of one our workshops, made carefully from start to finish.

It’s amazing seeing what our trainees are capable of?

In our plastics workshop, discarded plastics are given a new life - cleaned, shredded, melted and remoulded into something useful.

♻️ If you fancy one of these for yourself, our recycled plastic plant pots are available to buy on our website - be sure to leave us a green review!