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Having a laugh in a Handcrafted kitchen

Support

We believe that the first steps to breaking out of tough times, building confidence, and starting afresh is having a supportive community and a stable home.

We help people make the most of their time and talents. From joining Handcrafted’s workshops to getting out into the wider community, we believe in the power of connecting people with meaningful activities and new opportunities — not just keeping busy but finding purpose and belonging.

We’re here to make sure housing becomes a genuine foundation for growth. Home visits, practical help with tasks like paperwork or assistance accessing the right services are all in a day’s work for our support team.

People chatting in a Handcrafted support group

Our support workers are trained in trauma-informed approaches and focus on person-centered planning that’s tailored to individual needs. During regular (at least weekly) contact, we offer one-to-one chats, advocacy, and practical support to help people move forward at their own pace.

We recognise that people are the experts of their own lives and as such, our commitment to empowerment means that we don’t race ahead or push from behind but instead that we’re here to walk alongside individuals as they build their own resilience and forge their own future.

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