Donate Refer
People working in a handcrafted kitchen

Stories &
Testimonials

Here is just a sample of the positive outcomes we see when tailoring our support to each individual’s specific needs…

A trainee working on a woodwork project in the Handcrafted workshop

Gavin

We have had significant success working with people facing social isolation. This is often men over 50 who are struggling with their mental health due to long-term unemployment, family breakdown or offending history. Read the full story
A trainee serving a meal in the Handcrafted kitchen

Kelly

Many of the people we work with have complex needs and are engaging with multiple different services so we use a multi-agency approach to plan our support. Read the full story
A trainee on the Xtreme Character Challenge

Ben

Ben’s relationship with his adopted parents broke down shortly after his 17th birthday and he was since moved 20 times in a year before settling into our Gateshead community hub. Read the full story
A trainee cooking a meal in the Handcrafted kitchen

Abdul

This young asylum-seeker fled Afghanistan on a 5,000-mile journey, fighting to survive for 18 months at the age of just 14. Read the full story
Image depicting someone helping another person up a mountain

Testimonials

I have referred a number of offenders to Handcrafted.  The offenders can attend the project several times per week if they wish to, if not daily. This means that they have some where to go and something constructive to do with their time. They can learn new skills or continue to develop skills they already have. They are given the opportunity to try projects they would probably never have considered themselves able to do.

They all take great pride in the items they produce and some have expressed interest in forming their own small businesses on the back of the skills they have learned.

Most of my offenders have then begun to work on their own projects outside of Handcrafted, for example, one produced a bench for a new nature reserve. The offender stated that he feels he has left a legacy for other people to benefit from. Again, this gives them something constructive to do with their time, gives them a sense of pride and self worth. All of this is extremely positive for the offender and helps to deter from further offending.

Lesley G, Durham Constabulary