We're still collecting donations
On the 21st January 2022 we'd raised £5,335 with 91 supporters in 52 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Girls Assemble is creating a dedicated carpentry workshop based in Cornwall for girls and young women age 9 to 25.
by Girls Assemble in Redruth, Cornwall, United Kingdom
On the 21st January 2022 we'd raised £5,335 with 91 supporters in 52 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
WHAT WE PLAN TO DO
We need your help to get off the ground and kit out the workshop with workbenches, tools, machinery and materials that will be used to empower girls* to say "I CAN!"
*Girls refers to self-identified, trans-girls, non-binary and gender-expansive youth.
This female only workshop will provide lessons in carpentry, welding, architecture, engineering, and activist art with an emphasis on STEM subjects. Integrating technical skills, education/ career guidance, mentorship, community builds and leadership. All our workshops equip girls with tools to engage with and build the world they want to see. In the UK 24% of the STEM workforce are female and 12.5% of construction jobs are held by women. We want to readdress this imbalance and empower girls to be trailblazers. What might our cities, technology and environments look like if they were created by women? Imagine what our communities would look like if women were involved in every stage of design and build. We believe that addressing the problems of under-representation and retention of women in these career paths is not merely for statistical gain, but for the betterment of our world. There are no other dedicated workspaces for girls and young women in Cornwall which teach the different STEM industries, as well as supporting the whole girl. This makes the project truly unique. It is a new project which we will launch in January 2022. We have the funds to rent a space, but now we need your help to buy everything our fearless builder girls need.
REWARDS
Riso Print Artwork by Hands for Feet £20
A totally unique and Eco friendly Girls Assemble 2 Colour A3 riso print. Designed by Alistair Knowles AKA Hands for Feet and printed by Roots Press.
Riso Print Art Work And Your Name On The Wall £30
We will put your name on the wall of Girls Assemble and you will be immortalised forever more as an awesome human being who supported such a valuable project. You will also get a Girls Assemble A3 riso print design by Alistair Knowles AKA Hands for Feet and printed by Roots Press.
Girls who Design Enamel Pin £12
From www.twogirls.co.uk. This pin is simple. We want to empower women in the design industry to wear this pin and feel proud of what they do. Not only this, but this pin is a perfect conversation starter to help bring more diversity to creativity. Let’s help raise that number up to 50%!
Moon Calendar Artwork Print from Moon Phase Studio £20
2022 Moon Calendar for the Northern Hemisphere showcasing all astronomical events such as the super moons, meteor showers and eclipses. Never miss a full moon again with this year at-a-glance calendar beautifully hand painted and donated by artist Hayley Jones.
Wooden Bellyboard £70
A handmade bellyboard screen printed design. Made from the highest quality sustainably sourced FSC accredited 9mm birch plywood. This everyday bellyboard is the ideal board for every wave rider! Made by our girls, in our brand new workshop!
OUR MISSION
OUR APPROACH
We make space
Girls Assemble is a physical space for girls, every fearless builder girl who takes a class at Girls Assemble will have their name displayed forever on our wall. Making space means that girls are seen, supported, and invited to shape their own world. Girls Assemble programs are free or low cost and focus on supporting under served girls throughout Cornwall.
A focus on community
Projects designed and built by girls which are responses to the needs in our community: desks for a playgroup, a shed for a community farm, shelving for a food bank. By connecting skills to the real world, girls amplify their voice and leadership potential.
Technical, high-fidelity instruction
Led by skilled female builders and instructors, girls learn the industry relevant techniques, terminology, and problem-solving skills that set them up for success in our projects and their future careers.
Expression through art
Girls Assemble shows girls that they can be the change they want to see. Girls ACT is our art program. Art has a powerful history as a vehicle for social change and to encourage a sense of community. Girls learn to speak up about the issues that concern THEM. Their voice is heard. This program seeks to empower and teach skills and knowledge that can change the world.
Intimate, long-term mentorship
Girls are supported and encouraged to belong. Our skilled staff and instructors understand that each girl has unique strengths, wisdom, skills and aspirations. Relationship is essential to building community and we work together to support girls to forge their own pathway through life.
OUR WORKSHOPS
We aim to offer a growing portfolio of opportunities for girls to bring their audacious ideas to life. But in our first year we will focus on the following workshops:
After School Woodworking and Carpentry
Community Build Projects
Advanced Design and Build
Girls Act - Art as Activism
WHO ARE WE
Girls Assemble was founded by Managing Director Sophia Medine, with a background in event management, marketing and community projects, she is now a trainee joiner. She wants to create a change in both the construction and STEM industries. "This isn't just about girls, it's about shaking up the whole industry and making it more accessible, inclusive and better for everyone, boys and girls!"
Jenny Gratton is our Education Specialist, having worked with young people in inclusive, community comprehensive schools in the UK for the past twelve years. A kinaesthetic learner herself, she has always enjoyed the process of learning-through-doing and finds it incredibly rewarding to support and encourage young people through the same processes, building their confidence, resourcefulness and resilience. Her love of designing, building, making and creating has taken her beyond the traditional classroom setting and has seen her work with progressive organisations in the U.S. – Project Ember and Tinkering School – as well as start her own creative social enterprise – MAKE:DO - and she is incredibly excited to bring the same powerful and transformative educational experiences to Girls Assemble.
This project offered rewards