Craftsmen turn their hand to new venture
Released: 9 August 2007
Woodworkers are turning over a new leaf with the launch of a social enterprise which aims to help disabled people gain employment.
Maltings Woodcraft opens its doors for the first time next week, and will showcase the handiwork of people with physical and sensory disabilities.
Run by Wolverhampton City Council, the new venture has grown out of a series of popular woodworking sessions based within the Maltings Day Centre led by staff member Ian Loveday, who is trained as a boat builder.
He helped disabled users of the centre develop their practical skills by making a range of wood products.
Now they are going into business, and will produce a range of indoor and outdoor furniture, from benches to bird tables and wardrobes to reproduction furniture. They will also offer a woodcutting and repair service, all from their new base at Fordhouse Road Industrial Estate, Steel Drive, Fordhouses.
Ian, who has been teaching basic woodcraft at the day centre for more than a decade, said service users were delighted to get the chance to learn more about the trade.
“We thought it would be a good opportunity for people to pick up new skills and help them get back into work at the same time.
“Maltings Woodcraft will help them see what they are able to do,” he said.
Brenda Stafford, the council’s acting Head of Service for Physical and Sensory Disabilities, said: “Ian is talented and his students have become talented because of the way he has taught them.
“They will be making a wide range of products, and have already taken on some unusual projects, such as making flat pack garden furniture for schools and even designing and building a skittle alley.
“But this is just the beginning, Maltings Woodcraft hopes eventually to branch out into other areas such as producing items for kitchen manufacturers.”
The centre opens on Monday, August 13, after the users of the service have completed the conversion of the industrial units ready for business.
Ian added: “When we arrived there were basically a couple of shelves in there. We have been on site for seven or eight months, doing everything from putting in offices, an extension and a canteen to installing machinery and creating workbenches.
“We are very proud of their efforts - they have put in a lot of hard work on this project and they are looking forward to opening for business.”
Up to 10 disabled people will be working at Maltings Woodcraft every day, picking up vital skills and increasing their chances of finding permanent employment.
Organisers are keen to hear from anyone who can spare time to help out, or anyone with marketing skills to help sell the products.
Businesses in Wolverhampton are also being approached with a view to providing work placements. Brenda added: “The service users are really enthusiastic about it so we are confident it will be a success.”
Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Trudy Bowen will conduct the official opening of Maltings Woodcraft on Monday 13 August.
To find out more about Maltings Woodcraft, call Ian Loveday on 07766 479149 or Ginette Mackriel on 01902 553558.
Issued by the press office.