We are currently open to submissions for The Skill Tree!

The Skill Tree – A project to empower people to learn woodwork skills, by building products as well as confidence.

Gain independence, feel part of the community, as well as learn employability skills. This tutor led course, focuses on peer on peer learning in our workshop – a friendly, relaxed place to learn, all abilities welcome!

Who we’re looking for

Leeds residents, who are over 18, with care and/or support needs – who want to improve their health, their wellbeing and remain independent. This may include the following:

• Older people
• People with a learning disability, physical disability* or sensory impairment
• People with mental health needs
• People with alcohol or substance use issues
• People with long term health conditions
• Carers
• Young people with support needs in transition between children’s and adult services, care leavers
• We need people who can commit to 2 days per week for 12 weeks.

Note: Leeds Wood Recycling can be a busy working environment, it is a functioning business which continues to run alongside the course. It’s important that interested participants are aware that it can get noisy and cold as we run the business from a warehouse unit. The position will involve active engagement with some physical work. Participants will be doing jobs like denailing, sanding, sawing and moving things around the premises. We will balance the tasks, but beneficiaries are asked to be made aware of the nature of the course.

*Please note we are not wheelchair accessible at the moment, but we will try and cater to mobility requirements as much as possible

Details of the Skill Tree

We will run 4 Skill Trees throughout 2021-22 – each course will run for 12 weeks

Running for 2 days each week, either Wednesday and Thursday or Tuesday Wednesday 10am – 3pm (see below for full details)

Each Skill Tree course will have 6 participants – we keep numbers small to enhance learning and group cohesion.

• Skill Tree Course 3 : 24th May – 10th August Tuesdays/ Wednesday
• Skill Tree Course 4: 23rd August – 2nd November Tuesdays/ Wednesday

Each course includes

• Health and Safety induction
• How to process and reclaim timber
• Which materials to choose for which projects
• Opportunity to gain a National Community Wood Recycling accredited certificate
• Learn how to use hand tools, assist in the running of the enterprise, denailing, sanding, supporting the warehouse with its running needs
• Learn how to make products for our shop and get training on some hand and power tools Items could include shelves, boxes, tables, benches, frames and more
• There is the the opportunity to stay on with us as a volunteer on completion of the course

Spaces are limited so Email leedswoodrecycling.community@gmail.com for an application form