The Rewild Project is delighted to offer craft sessions for young people on the autistic spectrum.
Spectrum Skills sessions are specially designed to allow young people on the spectrum to spend a day learning a craft skills and be accompanied by their families or not, in a way that works for each individual & family.
Stone Masonry
Is an ancient traditional craft, it is one of the oldest professions in the world and many young people enjoy the satisfaction of hammering and carving out a piece or sometime just hammering out! Max uses soft lime or soapstone for these beginner & young people sessions to allow them to quickly see their work take shape.
SPECTRUM SKILLS SESSIONS
We are parents of young people with autistic traits and diagnosed autism. We know the difficulties families face and we are now delighted to have funding to help others where we had none. If you have any feedback about how we can improve sessions to make these more suitable & accessible for families.
Each session is limited to 5-6 attendees depending on the craft to keep the environment relatively quiet and calming, to prevent overwhelm.
We will never put any pressure on anyone to take part.
There will be 1 craftsperson (trained in supporting young people with autism) and 1 regular Rewild Project support person for continuity at the session and the day will run in a gentle and relaxed rhythm.
On the day
The workshop will be very informal and we welcome you to arrive anytime between 10:30 and 11. This will give you and your young person the chance to settle in, have a drink and snack and get to know the Spectrum Skills Team. At 11:15 we will give you a small introduction about the site and the craftsperson will introduce their craft for the day. Families are free to stay and join the workshop or go for a walk around the site.
The structure of the day is kept casual to suit the needs of the young people attending the workshop. This means if they would like to take a comfort break or have some alone time we will be able to support them in doing this.
We will break for a wholesome lunch, with ingredients grown from our permaculture allotment at 12:45pm where we invite the young people and families to sit around and have a natter. This is a great time for everyone to talk about shared experiences and what other exciting Spectrum Skills can provide!
After lunch the young people will continue to carry on with making until 3:30 where we will end our workshops. Young people are free to leave the workshop earlier or stay a little later to finish what they have made.
About Max
Stone Masons historically lived a nomadic lifestyle, travelling across the country creating stunning architectural displays that stand the test of time. This legacy is still very much alive and is making a reassurance through young stone masons, like Max Cotterill.
After doing his apprenticeship at Hereford Cathedral, Max Cotterill founded Nomadic Stone with the vision to create a travelling stone masonry workshop to help inspire and educate people in the artistry of this traditional craft.
Max has travelled across the UK and beyond showcasing his skills and collecting multiple craftsmanship awards along the way!
He is passionate about teaching people this craft and showcasing how these heritage crafts are still a viable and thriving skill for all generations to get involved with.
Spectrum Skills has been funded by NHS England to enable autistic young people to be supported to learn new skills and have specialist activities suited to their needs.
We are charging £10 nominal booking fee per place - which includes food for family members if they need to stay onsite or close by.
The Venue
This course is set at our off-grid woodland craft centre, Kensley Sheds, right in the heart of the beautiful Forest of Dean, situated on the famous Sculpture Trail, close to the Stained Glass Window and Wildlife Trust reserve ‘Woorgreen Lake’
Kensley Sheds is the home of our Social Forestry Project ‘New Leaf’. Here, local adults who are struggling with social issues come learn & practice new skills. We follow regenerative woodland management practices, to extract and process wood from disused Forestry England coppiced woodland. Here the wood is turned it into functional items, firewood and charcoal, giving people access to new careers and a sense of real community.
Kensley sheds has running water, a flushing disabled access toilet, onsite parking and is heated by wood-burner. You will be able to peruse our extensive library of eco / craft / alternative living books throughout the day
Any questions get in touch..