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People working in a handcrafted kitchen

Stories &
Testimonials

Here is just a sample of the positive outcomes we see when tailoring our support to each individual’s specific needs…

A trainee working on a woodwork project in the Handcrafted workshop

Gavin

We have had significant success working with people facing social isolation. This is often men over 50 who are struggling with their mental health due to long-term unemployment, family breakdown or offending history. Read the full story
A trainee serving a meal in the Handcrafted kitchen

Kelly

Many of the people we work with have complex needs and are engaging with multiple different services so we use a multi-agency approach to plan our support. Read the full story
A trainee on the Xtreme Character Challenge

Ben

Ben’s relationship with his adopted parents broke down shortly after his 17th birthday and he was since moved 20 times in a year before settling into our Gateshead community hub. Read the full story
A trainee cooking a meal in the Handcrafted kitchen

Abdul

This young asylum-seeker fled Afghanistan on a 5,000-mile journey, fighting to survive for 18 months at the age of just 14. Read the full story
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