Fairwater Pottery is in the Sbectrwm Building and overlooks Fairwater Community Garden. The project teaches a range of pottery skills and techniques and also sells all of the work produced to the general public.

Fairwater Pottery teaches students with learning needs how to work with clay using the hand building method. Clay is a very good medium for teaching many skills such as hand to eye co-ordination, manual dexterity, gross and fine motor movements, patience and concentration. Students learn to produce their own work but also learn how to work with other people as part of a team. Students learn how to manufacture simple clay products to a high standard for sale to the general public.

Products made in the pottery include:

Hand made tiles and coasters
Garden pots
Plant identification sticks
Porcelain vases & tea lights
Shaped seasonal decorations
One-off commissions.

Student Training

Students learn practical ceramic construction skills and production methods. Students are encouraged to be involved as much as possible in every aspect of the work, from designing to making and decorating and then firing. They learn how to prepare clay for use, how to texture and decorate clay, how to use basic clay machinery such as clay extruders and pug mills, how to apply glazes, and how to pack kilns and reclaim clay, and basic workshop maintenance.

An Individual Training Plan (ITP) is developed for each student, this includes skills such as:

Identify different types of clay
Hand building, press moulding and tile making skills
Clay decoration & glaze application
Make and using plaster moulds
Research and design
Work with tools and machinery
Pack kilns
Reclaim clay
Workshop maintenance

Accreditation

Students at the Pottery are able to undertake OCN accreditation units at entry levels 1 & 2.

Soft Skills Development

The training at Fairwater Pottery also delivers the Vision 21 soft skills development programme. In addition to developing practical clay skills the training focuses on developing confidence, communication skills, self care and presentation, working as part of a team, motivation, timekeeping, behaviour and reliability amongst others.

To refer a student to Vision 21

Following satisfactory completion of the referral process the student will undergo an induction to Vision 21 after which a ‘taster’ day will be offered to see whether the opportunity suits them. If this goes well students can attend Fairwater Pottery for one or two days per week, occasionally more if appropriate, for an agreed time scale which will be reviewed regularly.
For more information on our referral process please see our referral page

Health and Safety

Students at Fairwater Pottery receive a health and safety induction including safe use of tools and machinery, manual handling, risk assessment and fire safety awareness. Students can also be referred to our TAM (Training and Mentoring) project for additional life skills, employment and independent living guidance as appropriate.

Work made at Fairwater Pottery

Work produced by Fairwater pottery can be purchased directly from the Pottery, as well as at the Vision 21 Gift Shop 91 Albany Road.

Location and contact

Project Co-ordinator
Fairwater Potter
Sbectrwm Building
Bwlch Road
Fairwater
Cardiff
CF5 3EF
Telephone: (029) 2057 5828
Fax: (029) 2056 5960

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Key documents

Fairwater Pottery flyer

Fairwater Pottery leaflet
More detailed information in a leaflet you can download and print.