Since April 2013, Down to Earth has been providing an Engagement Gateway funded ‘Building Skills’ Project. This is based around sustainable construction methods. So far we’ve worked with 9 different ‘hard to reach’ groups totalling 67 participants. Each programme has run for 4-8 weeks, and is designed to help participants gain knowledge and experience of working in a construction environment. Participants have engaged in a variety of sustainable building projects, but focused mainly on wood and cob (traditional earth building); they’ve received training in, and used, a wide range of power and hand tools. As a result of participating in the programme the participants have gained an understanding of alternative building methods and have shown a genuine interest in construction work. to read the full report, click here
