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"Making us stronger in practical and creative ways"

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Budleigh Community Workshop

Who we are

Budleigh Community Workshop Trust is an East Devon based Social Enterprise Charity sustained by the commitment of local volunteers who give generously of their time and practical expertise for the betterment and wellbeing of the Community. Our team host a range of activities; practical, creative and social from the old fire station in Budleigh Salterton, near Exmouth.​

our facilities

What we do

Our workshop and meeting room facilities are open daily and available to individuals and groups who might like to take part - whether it be learning a new skill, receiving practical guidance or support in a creative discipline, by contributing to a community project, or simply enjoying the social atmosphere. We hope all our visitors will gain enjoyment from being involved.

courses and events

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THE WORKSHOP

THE LOFT

THE SHOP

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Courses and events

Courses and events at the Budleigh Community Workshop include:

• Book Groups
• Carpentry for Beginners
• Carpentry Projects
• Community Build Projects
• Community Discussion Group
• Knitting & Crochet
• Furniture Restoration
• Guitar Group - Beginners & Performance
• Scroll Saw
• Sewing Machine Skills
• Special Exhibition & Sale of Wares Days
• Support Group Meetings
• Textile Crafts including Quilting & Applique
• Tool Sharpening & Repair
• Wet Felting
• Wood Carving
• Wood Turning / Working at the Lathe ​

"Tell me, and I will FORGET.
Show me, and I may REMEMBER.
INVOLVE me, and I will ​UNDERSTAND."

Confucius 450 BC

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Get involved

Volunteer

If you think you have a transferable skill and some time to give, please get in touch with Bill McDermott on 01395 443455

meet the team

Community projects

If there is a community project which you think we could help with, please get in touch with Bill McDermott on 01395 443455.

contact us

Enroll for a workshop

Please send a short message including the title of the Workshop and how to reach you.​
​

upcoming workshops

Your feedback

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Participant

I’m recently retired and had to cope with a life change without a structure.  The friendship and contacts I’ve made are helping me to become more resilient and not so hard on myself. I appreciate being able to relax, unwind and talk. I value this in addition to learning new skills.

Volunteer supervisor

I love it here. I initially volunteered to help set the workshop up and get the show on the road.
As well as helping people to gain new skills and newfound confidence, I enjoy talking to them and also having a bit of a laugh! It’s a good balance and a good mix of volunteers with amazing skills.

Participant

It’s the tools, I know more about them and how to look after them and use them. It is important to keep tools sharp so that what I’m making looks nice and I can be proud of it. The workshop has given me a sense of purpose and I admit I need the company too.

Volunteer supervisor

I volunteer at the workshop as I don’t want to sit at home doing nothing. I like and benefit from the camaraderie from other supervisors and the people who come here to learn a new skill or craft. My eyesight isn’t too good these days and I can’t do a lot, so I sharpen tools and support the others. Everyone takes a keen interest in the tools, what they’re for and their origins. I enjoy the community spirit.

Basic Carpentry workshop participant

I’m doing the basic carpentry course as I wanted to learn how to work with wood. I really enjoy DIY. I have recently retired and now that I am not working, I have the time during the day to do these things! I am also meeting new people.  The quality of the supervisors is amazing, ex cabinet makers, teachers, all very knowledgeable.

Volunteer supervisor

I needed some encouragement to come to the workshop as I had no practical skills or abilities.
The friendship from the other volunteers has been fundamental in finding the confidence to have a go. I’m now doing woodcarving and when you can focus totally on what you’re doing, it helps tremendously as you can forget all the ‘other stuff’ and just relax. I feel part of it now and have chosen to develop a commitment and be useful.

Basic Carpentry workshop participant

I’m doing the woodcarving. They are a great group of people here at the workshop. They show a genuine interest in what I’m doing and help me to use the tools more effectively. I am learning how to think and see in 3D. Quite a new experience and very different to the work I used to do in the NHS. I enjoy being creative and learning not to get upset if it doesn’t quite turn out as I imagined it would. The supervisors are always on hand to help me understand and learn from this. Patience is a strength and I like keeping my brain active.

Volunteer Carpentry
Tutor

We have recently moved to the area and initially when reading the local Journal I was very attracted by the purchase of the old fire station to house the workshop. I have worked in education and what really motivates me is being able to contribute something to the local community and a wide range of people. I really like the community setting and looking ahead I would like to see more younger people being able to participate.

Woodwork for Beginners
Student

I've just got my CSCS card which is a health and safety requirement which means I can now look for a job on a building site and hopefully get an apprenticeship. When I left school I did an office job but this is really what I want to do. I've learnt more in 6 weeks from Tony (the volunteer tutor) than I've ever learned. My ambition is to buy some land and build my own house - I know it's a dream but...

Woodwork for Beginners
Student & Carer

I look forward to this (workshop) – I like to finish things - it can be a bit boring but it's important to finish. I'm making a tool box which I find therapeutic. Looking at the comb joint on his box... structure is a way of doing it – structure means the way that it is built –
that is very important.
"He loves it – we both do – I'm getting quite involved too!"
Support Carer

Woodwork for Beginners
Volunteer Tutor

I've only been here for 5 years and this place to me is a godsend – I like getting involved and this is the best way to meet people.

Woodwork for Beginners
Volunteer Tutor

 I'm old – no really old, but I still like to learn. It's what keeps me going. I'm also involved with the Men's Shed in Exmouth which has been going now for 8 years.

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