Well, you may remember - it’s ok if you don’t - that I am just about to be made redundant by KCC (Kent County Council) as I’ve been an adult education tutor with them for 9 years, teaching silversmithing, creative writing and lots of different creative classes, but they’re closing every creative, wellness, fitness and language class they run. This includes the 100 year old silversmithing workshop where I teach. So what am I doing about this?

I’m looking for a new home for my classes. With the help of friends and colleagues, I’m currently trying to find affordable workshop space in Margate, where I can take the huge collection of tools and equipment currently in the workshop, to set up a new teaching space. My aim is to run a range of classes from taster sessions, weekly sessions, experience days and focused groups to help people gain skills in silversmithing, support their learning and build their confidence. Added to this, I want to offer well equipped workshop space for local makers to rent, so they can cone and use equipment they may not have access to otherwise. As well as THAT, I would like to offer universities and colleges the chance to give their students the experience of making in metal, which if you’ve never done it, is deeply primeval and intensely human experience in this digital world. 

There are funding sources I can and will be applying for, but I do believe it’s a business which can support itself, because it was before the council started sabotaging what we were doing. I only need the help to get started, as currently I need students to generate income for a workshop, and a workshop to generate students for income - after that we can do this!

I also hope to continue tutoring in creative writing - more news on that later - but yes, this is not what I planned to do, but do it I will!