Introduction To Crafts For Everyone
Crafts for Everyone Limited are a charitable social enterprise, established in 2001, providing work related training and the therapeutic craft classes for people with learning disability. The service is aimed at engaging local members of the community with learning disabilities and mental health problems to participate in the social and economic life of the community.
The company is embedded in, and has developed from, a community of interest i.e. people with learning disabilities and mental health problems. The company focuses on building the community stronger and overcoming isolation and fragmentation by encouraging inclusion, connection and integration. This is achieved by providing, employment, work related training, volunteer opportunities, therapeutic craft sessions and social events. Members are also involved with the running and governance of the organisation.
Crafts for Everyone developed Ichthus Ceramics, a commercial pottery, which manufactures an exclusive range of ceramics to a very high standard.
The project provides work related training, work experience and volunteer opportunities for people with learning disability / mental health problems and the long term unemployed and provides employment for three people: a Support /Production Worker, a Volunteer Mentor and a Ceramicist. It is set in a large indutrial unit in Crumlin, near Newport. The unit provides 1700sq foot of floor space and houses a wide range of equipment and machinery used in the production of ceramics.
CFE received charitable status in 2003 and for the following three years continued to extend and develop the client base and the services offered. In January 2006 the charity registered a trading arm as a co–operative social enterprise. The new company became an arms- length trading company of the initial charity.
The classes provide an opportunity for social interaction which improves communication and social skills. Friendships are formed and the sense of belonging is very strong. The activities have also been proven to benefit the students by building their self confidence. We develop skills, and take delight in helping people reach their full potential. We find meaningful roles for people with a learning disability who wish to volunteer such as supporting in the classes and admin work, we also employ a person with a learning disability as a cleaner. Forty people between the ages of 20 – 80 benefit from the project on a regular basis.
In 2005 CFE developed Ichthus Ceramics, a commercial pottery, which manufactures an exclusive range of ceramics to a very high standard. The project provides work related training, work experience and volunteer opportunities for people with a learning disability / mental health problems and also people who are long term unemployed.
The training is delivered by our qualified Ceramic Designer and is heavily biased towards work focused skills and employability. The trainees learn a variety of real hands on skills in the production of our wares gaining confidence through the completion of tasks. The trainees work as part of a team with our existing volunteers helping with production of ceramic items which we supply to shops in Cardiff and Ledbury.
They are also able to do some self initiated and motivated work which they are allowed to take home. Trainees gain a multitude of transferable skills throughout the course that they can take with them into the jobs market. We are also working in partnership with the Workers Education Association to deliver an OCN accredited course in Health and Safety.
What can Crafts for Everyone do for you?
We provide therapeutic day services for people with severe learning disabilities.
