What is The Giftwood Projects?
The Giftwood Projects are all about providing bespoke enrichment programmes to people of all situations, backgrounds and ability levels, by offering them the opportunity to have creative freedom in design and manufacture. We guide them through the process of designing and making hand planes, surfboards and skateboards, which they then learn to ride... hopefully continuing the sport for the rest of their lives, thereby improving their physical and emotional health and well being.
These projects are here to provide people with a chance to escape from difficult times they may be currently facing, which could include bereavement, mental health problems, physical disabilities through injury, social issues and more. We want to provide a positive environment and give them the chance to experience something new, that could give them the outlet they so desperately crave and need. They could also be used as reward or just a good fun programme for a group of youngsters wanting to experience something different.
Recent studies are proving more and more that surfing has shown that it can improve your emotional well being. Just being by the sea, the sights, smells and sounds can relax the body and calm the mind and can provide clarity in turbulent times. To be able to offer these projects to people around Cornwall, we are able to enable people to visit the beach and for some, it may be the first time they have been to the beach, and if not the first time, the first time for a very long time.
By taking part in physical activity, your body releases chemicals which have a positive impact on your state of mind, increases confidence, offers new social situations, allows creativity in sport as well as the positive effect to your health.
Our passion to offer these facitlities, as well as our knowledge and skills in developing and delivering programmes gives us a great platform to start our project with.
We feel that The Giftwood Projects can bridge the gap for educational establishments with specific student groups, offer fantastic opportunities to charities and other learning providers, or even just give someone passionate about surfing the chance to come and make their own board.
Meet the Team:
The Giftwood Projects consists of two founding members David and Jenna, who together have created a perfect package and want the opportunity to use their skills, knowledge and passion to make this project a real success.
David is the founder of Driftwood Surfboards. Driftwood Surfboards began in David's garden shed 3 years ago with a stack of reclaimed wood and a goal of making a sustainable surfboard. He studied Sustainable 3D Design at Falmouth University which he thoroughly enjoyed and this helped him find his feet. After completing his degree he was asked to continue with the University to teach CNC Manufacture and Computer Aided Design on the Sustainable Product Design Course. He now wants to teach others what he has learnt and how small ideas can create so much more. David has a very creative mind, is passionate about his work, a keen surfer and role model for young people to work with.
Jenna is an experienced Youth Worker and has been working with a well respected Organisation in Cornwall for the past 2 years planning and delivering events, learning programmes and activies weeks in and around Cornwall, and is currently developing a curriculum programme for them. She has supported a variety of ages, abilities, situations and is very passionate about ensuring each individual gets everything they need to help them move forward. She is a qualified Tutor, Information Advice and Guidance Officer, Safeguarding Officer and First Aider and is able to work with a wide spectrum of needs. Her Learning Programmes delivered through XtraVert, part of The Real Ideas Organisation, were highly successful with statistics of 93% of individuals starting programmes - completing and 91% of those individuals progressing back into education or employment. She is very determined to make an impact on individuals lives where ever possible, loves skateboarding and cant wait to get her teeth into The Giftwood Projects!!!
Why do we need your help?
To offer our wide variety of programmes on a county wide scale we need to have better facitlities. We have recently been able to secure a workshop next to Driftwood Surfboards in Newquay, Cornwall, but need money to enable us to create the space into an adequate learning environment, as well as having the tools and equipment required to ensure whoever takes part in our programmes, has everything they need to get the most out of the experience.
The money will be used to do the following:
Build Office Space, Kitchen Area, IT/Clean Room, Dusty Room, Extraction for Dusty Room, Lighting, Alarms, Electrical Work, Plumbing Work, Carpentry Work, and Plaster Boarding.
We will also be using whatever is left to enable us to furnish and equip our Training Suite and require the following:
Laptops, Kicthen Equipment including sink, draining board, Fridge, Kettle, Water Heater, Toaster, Microwave, plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, bowls, t-towels etc., Office equipment, chair, desk, computer, printer, lockable cabinets, First Aid Equipment, and more!!
If there is anything you the lists above that you feel you can either support the work or have something lying about the place that you or your business no longer require and want a great new home for it, please let us know - all support on what ever level will be greatly appreciated!
If we are able to reach our target we can equip our facitlities in full and be in a position to start delivering our programmes in the new year as well as increasing our capacity to deliver more frequently.
Our Rewards
We have carefully selected our products to cater for everyone whilst also making great chirstmas gifts for your loved ones and friends......
When you pledge over £35 we will be sending you a brand new The Giftwood Projects Earth Positive Organic T-Shirt screen printed by www.advertees.co.uk printed with water based ink!!
When you pledge over £80 you can choose a Hand Plane from the Driftwood Surfboards range www.driftwoodsurfboards.co.uk sent to your door
When you pledge over £100 you will be invited to attend one of our workshops at The Giftwood Projects HQ where you will have the chance to shape your own Hand Plane
When you pledge over £150 you will be invited to attend a workshops to shape your own Hand Plane, followed by a Hand Plane Surf Lesson like our students did @Watergate Bay @ Extreme Academy www.watergatebay.co.uk and www.extremeacademy.co.uk
When you pledge over £450 we will send you a Limited Edition Print from Josh Olin www.josholins.com courtesy of work with Hole & Corner Magazine www.holeandcornermagazine.com
When you pledge over £1300 we will invite you to take part in a Driftwood Surfboards Workshop to make your very own Wooden Surfboard www.driftwoodsurfboards.co.uk
(This price does not include glassing, but we can arrange for your new board to be glassed for an additional £200)
We would like to thank the following for their support so far:
Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme - www.thesse.org
Watergate Bay Hotel - www.watergatebay.co.uk
Extreme Academy - www.extremeacademy.co.uk
Feast - www.feastcornwall.org
The Real Ideas Organisaion - www.realideas.org
Hole & Corner Magazine - www.holeandcornermagazine.com
Josh Olins - www.http://www.clmuk.com/photography/josh-olins
Advertees - www.advertees.co.uk
We will keep you all updated with whats going on at The Giftwood Projects throughout the capaign, and start to show you how the money you are pledging is making positive change happen!!!
We can only say thank you in advance for your help and support, and even if you cannot pledge, please spread the word.
Jenna & David
The Giftwood Team