Workshops

Our Wood workshop at Skomer is based in Barry Community enterprise centre and provides training opportunities in woodwork skills to students from the Vale. It has a strong working partnership with Fieldway Woodwork in Cardiff and staff work between the two projects. Skomer like Fieldway produces a wide range of handmade and assembled wooden products for the home and garden.
The wood products have changed and evolved over the years and have been developed into the current range as they offer very good foundation skills and development opportunities in carpentry. They also offer a realistic student involvement.



Student Training

Students in Skomer Woodwork learn the basics of carpentry and joinery at levels to suit all abilities. Through making a variety of products, they will be taught how to use and care for a range of hand and power tools with a strong emphasis on teaching correct health and safety procedures, as well as a range of ways to apply different finishes to wood.
Products produced include:
  • Garden furniture
  • Bird products
  • Planters
  • One-off commissions
An Individual Training Plan (ITP) is developed for each student, this includes skills such as:
  • Identifying woodworking tools and equipment
  • Cutting wood to size
  • Sanding and planing wood
  • Preparing and treating woodwork
  • Wood recognition
  • Drilling and fixing
  • Use of hand and power tools
The wood workshops sell some of their products directly to customers who place orders, as well as through two of our other projects the Vision 21 Gift Shop and the Oaks Garden Nursery.



Accreditation

The training focuses mainly on training in carpentry skills, and health and safety.
Accreditation in carpentry and related work and life skills is offered through Agored Cymru.

Soft Skills Development

The training at Skomer Woodwork also delivers the Vision 21 soft skills development programme. In addition to developing carpentry skills the training focuses on developing confidence, communication skills, self care and presentation, working as part of a team, motivation, timekeeping, behaviour and reliability etc.

To Refer a Student to Skomer Woodwork project

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 Skomer 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 in the wood workshops receive a health and safety induction including safe use of tools and machinery, manual handling and fire safety awareness. Students can also be referred to our TAM project for additional life skills, employment and independent living guidance as appropriate.

Wood Products

We have built up links with a number of local businesses to source reclaimed timber. We strive to work ethically and to use reclaimed and second use timber wherever it is available.  We also focus on using water based wood stains and finishes where appropriate.

Garden furniture  and other wood products

For information on purchasing Skomer wood products please contact Skomer Woodwork on Tel: 01466 748893

Location and contact

The Skomer Workshop is located at:
Barry Community Enterprise Centre
Skomer Road
Barry
Vale of Glamorgan
CF62 9DA
Telephone/Fax: 01446 748893

Email: skomer@vision-twentyone.com

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