Skilled Hands Organisation

Are we underestimating the developmental power of creative activities during school holidays?

As working parents in Nottingham, school holidays can feel like a logistical puzzle.

But beyond childcare, there’s a deeper question:

How are our children developing during these breaks?

Creative craft workshops are increasingly being recognised not just as “holiday activities”, but as environments where children build:

• Focus and patience
• Practical problem-solving skills
• Confidence through completion
• Social interaction in small groups
• Real-world, hands-on abilities

In a digital age, structured creative learning offers something different — tangible outcomes and internal growth.

I’ve written a short blog exploring why half-term and summer holiday craft workshops matter more than we might think, particularly for families in Nottingham and surrounding areas.

If you’re reflecting on how your child spends the next school break, this might be helpful.

🔗 www.skilledhandsorganisation.org/all-you-need-to-k…

#NottinghamParents #HalfTermActivities #SummerHolidayClubs #CreativeEducation #LifeSkills #YouthDevelopment #WorkingParentsUK #CommunityImpact

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4 days ago | [YT] | 4

Skilled Hands Organisation

At school, children are taught how to learn, memorise, and pass exams.
What they’re rarely taught is how to use their hands, explore creativity, or make things.

Yet creativity is one of the skills that supports confidence, wellbeing, and resilience — even later in life when people experience burnout or need alternative income paths.

At Skilled Hands, we believe hands-on learning is just as important as academic learning. That’s why we run after-school craft clubs and creative programmes where children learn practical skills, build confidence, and discover what they’re capable of through making.

I’ve written a blog exploring why creativity matters so much for children — and how practical skills can support them far beyond the classroom.

👉 Read the full blog and find details of our Craft Camp for Kids (now open for registration) here:

www.skilledhandsorganisation.org/all-you-need-to-k…

#Parenting #CreativeLearning #AfterSchoolClubs #ChildrenDevelopment #LifeSkills #NottinghamParents

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1 week ago | [YT] | 4

Skilled Hands Organisation

From not knowing how to use a sewing machine… to selling internationally.

Less than a year ago, Emma Piper walked into Skilled Hands to learn bag making.
At the time, she had never used a sewing machine.

Fast forward to today, and Emma is the founder of Little Robin Threads — a growing handmade business selling beautiful bags:
• on Etsy
• at craft fairs
• in handmade shops around Nottingham
• and even to customers in the United States

What changed?
Access to skills. Support. Encouragement. And the confidence that comes from being believed in.

After completing her course at Skilled Hands, Emma didn’t just build a business — she chose to give back, volunteering her time to support others in the community starting their own journeys. Skilled Hands helped her develop a skill, but more importantly, it helped her discover what she was capable of.

Emma recently joined us on Innovative People’s Podcast, interviewed by Tina Jason, where she shared her story openly — the challenges, the growth, and what it really means to turn learning into livelihood.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that skills change lives, and when community meets opportunity, incredible things happen.

🎧 Watch the full episode here:
👉 From Beginner To Business | EMMA PIPER
https://youtu.be/SHADeOpplo4

If you believe in empowering people through practical skills, confidence-building, and community-led impact, this episode is for you.

#InnovativePeoplesPodcast #SkilledHands #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusinessUK #CraftEntrepreneur #NottinghamMakers #SocialImpact #ConfidenceThroughSkills #CommunityEmpowerment

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 4

Skilled Hands Organisation

Every Skill Learned Can Change a Life

At Skilled Hands, we don’t just teach craft skills, we help women rebuild confidence, improve wellbeing, and create pathways to financial independence.

One of the women you’ll see featured on this page came to our bag-making workshop with little more than curiosity and hope. Today, she has started her own small business, earning income, improving her health and wellbeing, and believing in herself again, all because someone invested in her potential.

We are raising £5,000 to continue training more women in our community, women who are unemployed, on low income, or juggling caring responsibilities, and who simply need the right opportunity to thrive.

💛 Your donation will help provide:
• Free, high-quality craft skills training
• Materials and tools for workshops
• A safe, supportive space for women to learn, connect, and heal
• Real opportunities for women to turn skills into income

No amount is too small. Every contribution helps empower a woman. Every share helps reach another life.

If you believe in community, empowerment, and giving women a hand up — not a handout — please donate or share today.

👉 www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/skilledhands-organ…

Thank you for supporting women, skills, and stronger communities 💛

#justgiving #donate #SkilledHands #supportlocal

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4 weeks ago | [YT] | 6

Skilled Hands Organisation

Skilled Hands turns 8 today 💃

Today marks eight years since Skilled Hands began — and what a journey it has been.

Skilled Hands Organisation CIC started very small.
One polythene bag.
A few jewellery-making tools I brought with me from Ghana.
About four or five pliers.
Some beads.
And a big belief that women deserve more.

At the time, I was a young mum navigating motherhood in all its forms — joy, pain, loss, and hope. I had experienced the devastating loss of my son at birth, followed by the renewed joy of welcoming my daughter. Life was shaping me in ways I did not yet fully understand, but those experiences planted the seed for Skilled Hands.

Skilled Hands was born out of lived experience.
Out of resilience.
Out of the understanding that when women are supported, skilled, and empowered, everything changes.

The journey has not been easy. It has involved sleepless nights, endless research, tears behind the scenes, moments of doubt and moments of overwhelming joy. The kind of joy that comes when women tell us how a workshop restored their confidence, gave them purpose, helped them start a business, gain employment, or simply reminded them of their worth.

What started as a one-woman vision is now a movement.

Over the years, Skilled Hands has:
• Delivered thousands of workshops
• Trained and supported hundreds of women
• Created pathways into skills, certification, self-employment, and work
• Grown into an organisation that now employs others
• Built partnerships with universities and welcomed students who volunteer and learn alongside us
• Become a recognised space for creativity, healing, growth, and community

Every step forward has been driven by the stories of the women we serve. Their growth fuels our growth. Their courage pushes us to do more, dream bigger, and reach further.

Eight years on, Skilled Hands is still rooted in that original vision — but it is stronger, deeper, and more impactful than I could have imagined when I opened that little polythene bag.

To every woman who has walked this journey with us.
To every supporter, partner, volunteer, facilitator, and believer.
Thank you for being part of this story.

Here’s to eight years of Skilled Hands and to many more years of empowering women, one skill, one story, one life at a time 💛

#SkilledHands #8YearsOfImpact #WomenEmpoweringWomen #CommunityImpact #SocialEnterprise #FromVisionToMovement #Nottingham

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 5

Skilled Hands Organisation

Over the past few years, I’ve noticed something interesting happening locally.

More adults are quietly returning to sewing — not because it’s trendy, but because it’s practical, grounding, and empowering. Many people tell me they want to learn how to use a sewing machine properly, or that they used to sew years ago and lost confidence somewhere along the way.

At Skilled Hands Organisation CIC, we see first-hand how learning a practical craft skill can rebuild confidence and create a sense of achievement. Sewing, in particular, stands out because it gives people something tangible to take home — and a skill they can keep developing.

I’ve just shared a short blog on our website reflecting on why adults across Nottingham and the wider East Midlands (including Derby and Leicester) are returning to sewing, and why community-based learning plays such an important role.

If you’re interested in creative skills, adult learning, or community-led approaches to empowerment, you might find it a good read.

👉 www.skilledhandsorganisation.org/all-you-need-to-k…

Always happy to connect with others who are passionate about skills, learning, and community impact.

#AdultLearning
#CommunityImpact
#CreativeSkills
#Nottingham
#EastMidlands

1 month ago | [YT] | 7

Skilled Hands Organisation

Calling All Makers & Market Lovers!

Skilled Hands is excited to invite you to our Maker’s Market on Saturday 16th May 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Lutterell Hall — Church Drive, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6AY!

✨ If you’re a creator, crafter, artisan, or small business owner with beautiful products to share — this is your moment to shine! Join us for a vibrant market filled with creativity, community spirit, and brilliant local talent.

👉 Stall details:
• Free entry for visitors — bring your friends & family!
• Stall spaces just £25
• We provide tables & chairs
• You bring your products and tablecloth

Whether you’re selling handmade goodies, art, crafts, jewellery — or simply want to browse and support local makers — this is the place to be!

📍 Save the date:
🗓️ 16th May 2026
🕚 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
📍 Lutterell Hall, Church Drive, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6AY

Call: 07432440997
Email: skills.hands.orgagmail.com

Spaces are limited — so grab your stall spot today and be part of something creative and joyful! 🙌

#makersmarket #UKMarketplace #smallbusinesssupportingsmallbusiness #supportlocalbusiness #supportlocal #supportlocalbusinesses

1 month ago | [YT] | 6

Skilled Hands Organisation

From skills to enterprise: celebrating women-led business launches

One of the most rewarding moments this year at Skilled Hands was witnessing five women officially launch their small businesses using the skills they gained through our training programmes.

In October, at our Red Carpet event themed “Threads of Legacy,” we formally launched these businesses — marking not just the start of new ventures, but the outcome of confidence built, skills developed, and potential realised.

The ribbon-cutting and business launches were graciously supported by Dr Norma Gregory and Jackie Cunningham , whose presence added significance and encouragement to this important milestone. Their support reinforced the value of investing in women, creativity, and sustainable enterprise.

As Founder and Director of Skilled Hands, moments like this affirm why this work matters. When women are equipped with practical skills and supported through the transition into enterprise, the impact extends far beyond business — it strengthens families, communities, and local economies.

This launch represents more than five businesses. It represents legacy, resilience, and what is possible when opportunity meets preparation.

📌 At Skilled Hands, we remain committed to empowering women through skills training, enterprise support, and platforms that enable growth and visibility.

If you are a funder, partner, or organisation interested in supporting women-led enterprises and community impact, I would welcome the opportunity to connect.

#WomenInBusiness #SkilledHands #SocialEnterprise #CommunityImpact #Entrepreneurship #WomenEmpowerment #ThreadsOfLegacy #Leadership

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2 months ago | [YT] | 1

Skilled Hands Organisation

We are excited to share that our Online Christmas Craft Fair is live.

Click on the link below to purchase from our lovely buyers. Loads of beautiful handmade items to buy as Christmas presents.

The physical craft fair is happening on the 6th of December, 2025, at the Lutterell Hall, Church Drive, West Bridgeford. From 10:00am to 3:00pm

There will be loads of bespoke handmade items for sale. Over 20 Stalls will be on site, with loads of activities for children:

1. Mini Fashion Show
2. Lip Balm Workshop
3. Hook A gift, etc
4. Character Moulding with air-dry clay workshop
5. Lovely Music, cakes and food to eat.

You can't miss this. SAVE THE DATE and see you there!!!

www.skilledhandsorganisation.org/global-christmas-…

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2 months ago | [YT] | 5

Skilled Hands Organisation

We are excited to share that our Online Christmas Craft Fair is live.

Click on the link below to purchase from our lovely buyers. Loads of beautiful handmade items to buy as Christmas presents.

The physical craft fair is happening on the 6th of December, 2025, at the Lutterell Hall, Church Drive, West Bridgeford. From 10:00am to 3:00pm

There will be loads of bespoke handmade items for sale. Over 20 Stalls will be on site, with loads of activities for children:

1. Mini Fashion Show
2. Lip Balm Workshop
3. Hook A gift, etc
4. Character Moulding with air-dry clay workshop
5. Lovely Music, cakes and food to eat.

You can't miss this. SAVE THE DATE and see you there!!!

www.skilledhandsorganisation.org/global-christmas-…

2 months ago | [YT] | 1