Chair Making Success Story for Pembrokeshire Futureworks Trainees
Written by Tir Coed / Monday 17 July 2023
In addition to Tir Coed’s usual progression model of wood and land-based training for un/under-employed people in Pembrokeshire, a programme of short courses and wellbeing activities are being delivered through the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Project.
During one such course, participants referred by the county council’s employment support agency Futureworks, have been visiting Tir Coed’s main site, Scolton South Woods, every Thursday for five weeks. During their Introduction to Woodland Working course, they have learned about practical outdoor skills, woodland management, and green woodworking. They have worked as a team to build a storytelling chair which has now been donated to a local primary school.
Tir Coed’s Enhancing Pembrokeshire Coordinator, Nancy Cole, said “Our courses are such a good way for people to find out more about alternative routes into employment in the outdoors. Lots of our graduates go on to further training, employment and self-employment, a few even get jobs with us! I hope that we will see some of the participants from this course carry on working with us, developing the skills and experience they have gained.”
From selecting the materials used to delivering the chair to the school (though opting not to take part in the cheesy photo shoot!) participants have been involved in every part of the design and production of this completely unique piece of locally sourced, locally made playground furniture. Receiving the chair has saved the school hundreds of pounds while the children are still able to enjoy the many different uses for this popular school yard feature.
