From Start to Finish: Your Session Journey

1. Initial Discussion 

We begin with a friendly discussion about what the group or provision hopes to achieve. Each session is fully customisable and bespoke to the needs of the provision — whether it’s creating something practical like a bench, planter, or another useful addition, or developing a creative project that allows learners to express themselves in meaningful ways. We provide the knowledge, skills, and hands-on guidance to help bring their ideas to life.

2. Identify Materials

Together, we explore what materials can be used, focusing on sustainability and creativity, such as:

  • Reclaimed wood

  • Old furniture that can be broken down and repurposed

  • Recycled or donated materials

If sourcing reclaimed or recycled materials isn’t possible, we can obtain supplies from a range of sustainable timber and building merchants to ensure the project remains environmentally responsible.

This approach helps learners understand reuse, recycling, and the environmental impact of their work, while promoting thoughtful and sustainable design choices.

3. Agreeing the Project

Learners, with staff support, decide on a specific project — for example:

  • Birdhouses

  • Planters

  • Garden seating

  • Sensory or nature-based installations

The chosen project is tailored to suit the group’s ability level, available time, and the tools and materials on hand.

4. Design and Planning

Learners sketch or plan their design using drawings, templates, or 3D mock-ups — depending on their ability.
They consider:

  • Shape and size

  • Function and purpose

  • Personal touches or decorations

This stage helps develop creative thinking, planning, and communication skills.

If these designs are shared with Make and Grow before the session, the team can adapt the project and make any necessary adjustments to suit time constraints, materials, or tool use.

This stage can also be completed in the classroom with learners, allowing Make and Grow to spend as much time as possible on the hands-on building phase during the workshop.

Depending on the project, we can either create multiple builds inspired by individual learner designs, or produce one collaborative piece that combines everyone’s ideas and imagination into a single, shared creation.

These first four steps, defining the goal, identifying materials, and agreeing on the project, can all be completed in advance through a phone call, video chat, or online meeting, ensuring everything is well-prepared before the workshop or after-school session begins.


However, for EOTAS learners, it is far more effective to complete this planning together during the first session, as it gives the learner valuable time to get to know the practitioner, feel comfortable, and begin building trust. It also allows the practitioner to better understand the learner’s needs, interests, and pace, helping create a personalised plan that supports meaningful engagement.

5. Make & Grow Workshop Planning

The Make & Grow team takes the learners’ design ideas and turns them into a safe, achievable build plan, which includes:

  • Step-by-step building sequence

  • Tool and safety checklist – introducing learners to each tool, explaining its safe use, and ensuring ongoing safety throughout the session

  • Roles for each learner during the build

Every plan is carefully adapted to meet the needs of learners/ SEN learners, ensuring that everyone can take part safely, confidently, and meaningfully in the workshop.

6. The Build

It’s time to bring ideas to life!

Learners work together to transform their designs into real creations under the guidance of the Make & Grow team. Everyone gets hands-on experience learning practical DIY skills such as:

  • Measuring and marking

  • Cutting, sanding, and joining

  • Using tools safely, including drills and other hand tools

  • Painting, decorating, or sealing to finish their work with pride

This stage is all about teamwork, inclusion, and empowerment — giving every learner the chance to take part meaningfully, build confidence, and celebrate their achievements together.

6. Reflection and Celebration (optional but powerful)

At the end of the session (or project), learners reflect on what they’ve achieved.
We discuss:

  • What went well
  • What they enjoyed
  • How their work will be used or displayed
    A group photo or small celebration helps build pride and ownership in their work.

✳️ Optional Extensions

For ongoing programmes, Make & Grow can also offer:

  • A display or installation day (showing their finished work around the school)
  • Progressive skill-building workshops (each session builds on the last)
  • Seasonal projects (bird boxes in spring, planters in summer, etc.)

Contact us

 

For inquiries or to book a workshop for your school, please fill out the form  or contact us at info.makeandgrow@gmail.com 

or Phone on 07880343646