This week we’re featuring “From Workshop Table to Folly Hall Wall”, where Peer Worker James shares his reflections on our recent Contrast Carving course. Find out how learners turned simple wooden boards into unique works of art that will be showcased at Folly Hall, Huddersfield, later this year.

We’ve also released our Autumn programme for next half term, so if you’re thinking about what to try next, now’s a great time to plan ahead. Just click on the timetable icon to see what’s coming up.

Don’t forget our Cuppa and Connect end of year celebration on 14th July at MCC—a great chance to come together with learners, volunteers and staff to reflect, connect and celebrate. You’ll find full details below.

We’re also inviting learners to get involved in the Yorkshire Calico Dress Project, helping to create a collaborative textile artwork celebrating the people, places and stories of Yorkshire. Read on below to find out how you can get involved.

As always, you’ll also find local information, opportunities and updates from partner organisations in the links below.

From Workshop Table to Folly Hall Wall

James, one of our Peer Workers, is known for bringing creativity, warmth and plenty of humour to the courses he runs. Through a wide range of creative workshops, he encourages learners to have a go, try something new and discover the wellbeing benefits of making art together. James recently led our Contrast Carving course and shares his reflections below.

I recently had the pleasure of running our Contrast Carving: Modern Patterned Wall Art course, and what a brilliant group it was.

The idea was simple: take a piece of wood, add a bit of imagination, and see what happens. Everyone created their own bold two-colour design before transferring it onto a wooden board and carefully carving away sections to reveal the finished pattern.

One of my favourite things about running creative courses is seeing how differently people approach the same challenge. Some learners arrived with a detailed plan, while others preferred the “let’s see where this goes” method—which often leads to the biggest surprises. Learners could choose the shape of their board and create something that reflected their own style, so every piece was completely unique.

As the carving got underway, the room settled into that lovely creative buzz. There were conversations, cups of tea, moments of quiet concentration, and the occasional nervous check that the right bit of wood was being carved away. Thankfully, everyone came out the other side with something they could be proud of.

What I love about carving is how naturally it helps people slow down. Focusing on a design can give your mind a break from everyday pressures, while creating alongside others helps build confidence and connection.

By the end of the course, we had a fantastic collection of finished artworks, each packed with personality and creativity. The work will be displayed at Folly Hall in Huddersfield later this year, and I’m really looking forward to seeing it on the walls. It was a real privilege to be part of the journey and to watch learners create something so distinctive and meaningful.