The Wood Works’ aim is to help those in the class to set out a project of their own choice. They can choose a specific item to make in line with their current level of skill, while looking to improve on that skillset.   

Taking place twice a week at Loddington Farm, the sessions provide projects that are achievable, with appropriate guidance and safety in mind. Intricate work may be carried out with one-to-one supervision, helping to not only strengthen their understanding of the project, but also help with their confidence and coordination.  

Denne Joinery first got involved with the Wood Works Service following a phone call from longstanding joiner Dave Hughes, who had worked with Denne for several years. Denne Joinery jumped at the chance to offer their off-cuts to the workshop, realising its impact on not just the people who attend, but also those closest to them.   

Following a recent visit to Wood Works, Head of Joinery at Denne Joinery Darren Bate said: “It was incredibly rewarding to witness how off-cuts of wood and sheet material, donated from our Bramling Workshops, has been transformed, and the experience left us feeling proud of Denne’s ongoing commitment to making a difference.”

It’s not just wood that Denne Joinery delivers either, with fixings, adhesives, ironmongery and other materials being used to build incredible projects, including watch boxes and fruit bowls.   

Wood Works chair Steve Beavis and treasurer Gill Leandro are at the helm of the workshops, which is funded through donations and run entirely by volunteers.   

They said: “Since Denne Joinery have come on board, through the contact of Dave Hughes, we have received several donations in the last 18 months. These consist of various materials including various species of solid timber such as oak, mahogany, walnut and sheet materials with real wood veneers and laminates. These materials are of a higher quality than other donations we’ve received, and this will assist us in wood turning and the production of small items of furniture & bespoke joinery items.  

“The intention of Wood Works is to offer the opportunity to the members to select projects of their own design and choice, which is fundamental to them developing self-confidence and rebuilding connections. Very often folk with an acquired brain injury lack the capacity to see a project through. This higher quality materials will help to enable them to envisage the finished project to show off the beauty of the wood.  

“The materials donated by Denne Joinery has allowed the participants to look at new skills, such as veneering projects, which in turn has opened up new project ideas. When we have a delivery of goods, there is a little excitement of what’s on the delivery, and what can we turn the materials into. We are all very grateful for the support of Denne Joinery.”  

For the Wood Works participants, the bi-weekly sessions have been a vital part of their lives for over a decade. One regular member, Tony, shared: “This is the best thing that has happened since my injury – it’s the closest thing I’ve got to going back to work. I’ve been coming here for 12-13 years and have made so many things, including clocks, watch boxes, book ends, a scale model of a container and even a cannon.   

“I have so much respect for Steve and Dave. Steve should be put up for an award for what he has created.”

To learn more about Denne Joinery’s commitment to the local community and beyond, see our Responsibilities page.