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Ed’s Workshop
Our story began in 2020 when Ed was in his final year at Freeman College and had developed skill and experience in woodwork, metalwork and jewellery making. Ed knew he wanted employment as a craftsperson in a workshop but required support to manage his projects, time and money effectively. In his final year of college Ed founded Ed’s Workshop with the support of his family, a small business making and selling hand-crafted jewellery, Christmas decorations, jigsaws, chopping boards and phone holders.
Ed and his family recognised that his situation was not unique. In Spring 2021 we wondered if there was a cohort of budding craftspeople who would like to work in a workshop setting but required embedded support due to additional needs. Ed’s Workshop collaborated with Yes2Ventures and St Mary’s Community Centre to run a one-month pilot project in summer 2021 which employed seven makers with learning difficulties to make high quality wood and pewter Christmas decorations.
We were delighted to be oversubscribed, demonstrating a large pool of prospective participants. In order for the products to be of a high quality we gave the employees lots of time to get used to the machinery and practise their making. Every employee was motivated and put effort into learning and practising the skills. We emphasised taking time to ensure good quality items and practiced quality control. As such, we did not have a high volume of items for sale, but they were all of high quality. After the pilot we kept half of the products aside to sell ‘cold’ i.e. to people without an association to Ed’s Workshop. These sold very quickly. The successful cold sales showed that people were willing to buy the products on their own merit and not just to support the project.
We had notable positive feedback from our employees in which two main themes emerged. Firstly that they were proud to be employed, and secondly, that they valued the community aspect of the workshop. They were a skilled and aspirational group of people who had largely struggled to find employment due to needing support in the workplace. For most of them, participation in the pilot was their first job. One expressed “it has definitely brought my confidence back up”. Many also expressed that they experience loneliness, however after the pilot we had positive feedback about opportunity to work alongside like-minded people. One stated “we’ve definitely grown in friendship together while we’ve been here”.
Through 2022 Ed had continued to make at home and was successfully selling his products for profit at craft fairs. We used findings from the pilot to adjust the model and by the start of 2023 were ready to bring on more makers on a permanent basis.
In April 2023 Ed’s Workshop moved into permanent premises in Carver House, Sheffield City Centre. The former Victorian cutlery works exudes industrial history with exposed brickwork, chimneys and 44 original windows making the rooms bright and airy. It felt apt to return the rooms to being places of manufacture and craftsmanship.
On moving in we had two makers and one supervisor. Our new premises allowed us to expand, bringing in more craftspeople and staff. We have seen steady growth since moving into our permanent premises and as of 2025 we work with seven regular makers and a team of experienced staff who provide specialised support and expertise in woodwork, pewter, jewellery, textiles, CNC and more. We have a range of tools and equipment available for our makers to use. As well as providing a supported working environment, Ed’s Workshop has helped makers secure funding grants, sell products at craft fairs, make products for bulk orders, as well as hosting open days and taster events for college students.
We have a strong and supportive community with a creative buzz. Our makers’ families, carers and personal assistants also make up an integral part of our community. One of our maker’s summarised their experience at Ed’s Workshop “there’s nothing quite like [Ed’s Workshop], everyone’s friendly, I’ve been able to pick up lots of new skills and develop the ones I already had”. We are incredibly proud of the kind and tolerant community that has grown around Ed’s Workshop. We are looking forward to continuing to expand our reach and welcome more aspiring makers who would benefit from a workplace with embedded support.