Four young men created beautiful metal objects during a metalwork course organised by LGT and facilitated by acclaimed metalworker Flee Jones.
“I absolutely loved it,” said Jason, one of the participants. “They were so nice and made everything sound so easy. I loved being able to make things and be able to say: I made that.”
The course, part of LGT’s “Bright Futures” initiative for young people, aimed to introduce the participants to metal work, inspiring and encouraging creativity and confidence. Flee Jones works with community groups and encourages recycling scrap metal items for sculpture and new uses.
“There is more than one way to make a living out of scrap metal,” said course organiser Belle Tidswell, LGT’s Youth Development Worker. “The workshops familiarised the students with a number of metalwork processes, so they feel confident using tools, basic welding, grinding and hot shaping metal.”
“Using these processes to create a functional or sculptural piece with the young people gave them an idea of the designing and making process and unleashed some creativity with steel, including scrap metal.”
The ultimate objectives of the three-week course, held at the Blackhorse Workshop in Walthamstow, were to create a space where Traveller young people could come together, inspire them to apply for college at age 16 and set goals for the future.
According to Jason, it was a great success. “I loved making friends. I can’t wait to do the next one,” he said.
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