Hands On News
1 March 2012
We have just finished the refurbishment of two flats on Grange Avenue in Chapeltown, that we have been working on since September. Twenty volunteers have worked on the flats, painting, plastering, fitting kitchens, hanging doors and more. The tenants joined in towards the end and were able to put the finishing touches to the flats before they moved in.
It was great to see the flats transformed, volunteers have enjoyed the project and learnt a lot and the tenants are really happy with their new homes. We are currently buying a house in Chapeltown for our next project.
3 February 2012 Leeds Architecture Award
Hands On is very pleased to announce that we have won a Leeds Architecture Award in the "Conserved Building" category. The judges were very complimentary about the workshop and we are very proud. For more information about the awards, click here.
19 January 2012
The Big Energy Day, at the Reginald Centre in Chapeltown was a great success. Local organisations including Chapeltown Citzen's Advice Bureau, LATCH - Hands On, Green Doctor, Wrap Up Leeds, Feel Good Factor, Care and Repair and Leeds Fuel Poverty Action Network came together to target people who are in fuel poverty. The aim of the day was to provide people with information about benefits and the help available for home improvements in order to reduce fuel bills.
Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, dropped in to see for himself what we're doing locally, and was very impressed to see local organisations working together to tackle fuel poverty.
For more information about Big Energy Week, click here.
25 August 2011
Hands On will be opening as part of Heritage Open Days on Saturday 10 September at 10am. Visitors will be shown around the building and view a slideshow about the renovation. Please contact us to book a place.
Click here to see the Hands On listing in the Heritage Open Days Directory.
Click here for the Heritage Open Days website.
23 June 2011 Green Apple Award
Hands On has just won it's third award - a Green Apple Award for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage. We're very pleased to once again gain recognition for our renovation of the Hands On workshop. To find out more about the Green Apple awards, click here.
13 May 2011
Hands On has secured some funding through Keeping House to pilot a couple of courses for people who have Individual Budgets to enable them to live independently. If you are interested, please contact us.
15 March 2011 Civic Trust Community Recognition award
At the Civic Trust awards ceremony, we were presented with a Community Recognition award for the renovation of the Hands On building. Community Recognitions are given to projects that provide a positive social, cultural, environmental or economic benefit to the local community.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the renovation for making it such a success.
To see Hands On on the Civic Trust awards website, click here.
21 February 2011 Training room available for hire
The Hands On training room is now available to hire for meetings of up to twelve people. It is equipped with PC, projector and screen, whiteboard, tables and chairs. There is a kitchen area with kettle, toaster and fridge. To download a hire agreement and conditions, click here.
14 February 2011 DIY and joinery tutors wanted
We are looking for self-employed tutors to run short beginner’s courses in joinery and DIY for adults. Courses run for 3 to 4 hours per week for between four and nine weeks. The hourly rate is £22.
You will have:
- Experience of working with disadvantaged groups and individuals
- Joinery or DIY skills
- Experience of running practical training sessions for adults.
18 January 2011 Civic Trust Awards finalist
The Civic Trust Awards scheme was established in 1959 to recognise the very best in architecture, design, planning, landscape and public art. Awards are given to projects of the highest quality design, but only if they are judged to have made a positive cultural, social or economic contribution to the local community.
We were delighted to hear this week that we are a finalist in the awards. We are guaranteed to receive an Award, Commendation or Community Recognition, and will find out which at the awards ceremony in March. It is especially gratifying as the workshop renovation was largely designed and entirely managed by LATCH.14 January 2011 OCN accredited courses now running
Hands On is now running courses accredited through the Open College Network (OCN). Participants in our Basic Joinery course and Community Construction Volunteer weeks can gain an entry level award if they complete the course or project and a portfolio to evidence learning. OCN qualifications are nationally recognised and credits gained can be combined with credits gained from courses taken elsewhere. Please contact us if you'd like more information about this.
10 August Hands On workshop opens for Heritage Open days
Heritage Open Days celebrates England's fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or charge for admission. This year the Hands On workshop is opening for viewings with an accompanying talk and slideshow, to show how the building has been renovated using reclaimed, recycled and natural materials.
The building will be open on Thursday 9th September 11am and 12 noon, and Friday 10th September at 2pm and 3pm. Please contact us to book a place as numbers are limited.
17 May 2010 Hands On features on Guardian Leeds blog
John Baron from the Guardian Leeds blog came to visit us at the Hands On project last week and was impressed by what he found.
See his article here
11 March 2010 Volunteers win award
Volunteers involved in the renovation of the Hands On workshop won the Team Award at the vinvolved Leeds Youth Volunteering Awards 2010. Dawn and Chris represented the team at a glitzy awards ceremony at The Loft. Well done to everyone!
29 January 2010 Workshop launch
The Hands On workshop was officially opened at a launch attended by local MP Fabian Hamilton and many of the volunteers and contractors who were involved in the renovation.
Last Updated (Monday, 12 March 2012 11:12)