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 work as a prolific offender coordinator within police and my role is to reduce re-offending, I work with offenders who have been within court and prison system for numerous years.

Handcrafted has been instrumental in providing training, skills and support to help these most chaotic offenders in the local community. To a lot of people going to work each day would be a normal part of life. The majority of the prolific offenders within the offender management unit have very little or in some cases no work experience.

Handcrafted have provided the opportunity to build their confidence, self-belief, working with others and learning a trade. They get a huge sense of achievement working on various projects within Handcrafted. The staff are always very supportive and Handcrafted has become a valuable partner agency.

Simon H, Durham Constabulary