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A woman working on a woodwork project in the Handcrafted workshop

Beliefs & Values

A person using pyrography to draw the Handcrafted logo on some wood

All the work of this charity is freely available to everyone, regardless of their beliefs or any other differences. We do not have an expectation that people will engage with any faith-related activities.

What we believe

Our approach is founded on the following beliefs:

  • We believe that everyone is created with value and purpose, and everyone can create things with value and purpose.
  • We want to share a radical vision of people turning their lives around and starting to contribute to society rather than taking from others.
  • We believe that every person has a role to play and there is a value in our differences. We have found that we live better when we work together.
  • We want to reach out to people with an empathetic and compassionate approach, like Jesus did. We believe Jesus came down to our level, lived a life like ours and took on our struggles and pain.
  • We are unconditionally loved and so we love others unconditionally.
  • We believe that we have been shown unlimited compassion and forgiveness. We therefore seek to give everybody the opportunity to have a fresh start.

Our values

Our beliefs inform our 4 key values which are essential to our approach:

  • Creativity

    Everyone can make something to be proud of

  • Empathy

    We will walk through challenges together, shoulder to shoulder

  • Empowerment

    Everyone can learn to take back control in their lives

  • Community

    We accept people just as they are, and we support each other

Image depicting someone helping another person up a mountain

Testimonials

Changing Lives have been working in partnership with Handcrafted for some time, and have seen the improvements that they have made to the service since they first began. We see Handcrafted as a valuable partner, providing effective support to our residents, most of whom are socially excluded and have been given up on by other services.

Handcrafted provides a safe environment for residents, so that they can explore new skills, gain confidence and improve self-esteem. This has been demonstrated on a number of occasions, when residents have been given the support specific to their needs, staff have shown patience and understanding in dealing with individuals who can be very challenging.

We work very closely with Handcrafted and have formed a unique working partnership together, we have seen a massive difference in the confidence that our residents have when they have engaged in this service, and that is due to the staff at Handcrafted going the extra mile, to make a difference to our residents, showing empathy and understanding and without judgement.

Long may this continue…

Margaret M, Service Lead, Changing Lives