SKILLS WORKSHOP/ PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT STUDENTS
David
I have been coming to Poetry in Wood for a very long time, it’s true. I live in supported housing in London Fields and i love how peaceful and quiet it is. What i like about London Fields is that everyone is different.
If i could anywhere in the world I would go to Thailand with all my friends from Poetry in Wood. I want to try all the different foods and spice up my life. If i could go anywhere in London i would go to the Museum of the Home because they have so many activities there.
The best thing I own is my Ukulele that I’ve been making with Craig. I also like making masterpieces, i am a very good abstract painter and i love to use colour. My best skill is discussing my art and philosophising about the world.
This year i want to go up a level in my drill skills but more importantly i want Craig to teach me the chicken dance. I’d also like to go to on more outings to galleries and museums. It’s true!
Adebayo
I’ve been at Poetry in Wood for 3 years now and i love it. I live near Shadwell park with my mum and dad, younger sister and brother. I love my garden at home and i like helping out with everything, it makes me feel like a man.
Poetry in Wood and George Green school are my favourite places to be because i love learning woodwork and being with mates, especially Charles my best friend. If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to Nigeria because i love the food and the shopping there.
My favourite possession is my PS5 and my best game is FIFA 2020. My favourite Poetry in Wood activity is drilling, especially with a handheld drill. I also love my workshop gloves, screws, hammers and the fretsaw. I’m most proud of the toolbox i made from scratch.
This year I’d like to do some fundraising for us and I’d also like to get a job in woodwork with Charles. We also want to buy a van for Poetry in Wood with the logo on the side to take us on trips.
Bich Tu
I’ve worked at Poetry in Wood for a long time. I live with my mum, my sister and my niece in Whitechapel. I like helping my family with various jobs in the house.
My favourite place to be is at my best mates house, Jessica, we’ve been mates always. I also love Neil park near Isle of Dogs. The best possession i own is my Stitch and Angel suede phone holder and my new phone that my sister got me.
I like all the activities we do here at Poetry in Wood but if i had to pick i especially like painting and drawing cats. The best thing i’ve made recently is a rose for Valentine’s day that we sold at the market. The tools i like most are the fretsaw, the burner and the paints.
This year i want to do and make everything. I love to make new things and i also like to tell my mates here how great their work is!
Tom
I’ve been at Poetry in Wood for a Millenium, just ask Craig. I’ve just moved house to somewhere in Tower Hamlets and I have my own man cave in the basement for chilling out maxing and relaxing. My bathroom has just had new red tiles put in and i’ve made a wooden sign to hang on my bathroom door with the Brick Lane bagel shop on it.
If I could go anywhere in the world i would go to Timbuktu because why not. But my favourite place in London would have to be Nude cafe on Hanbury street and no it is not the nudist establishment, that’s next door.
My best and most used possession would be my headphones, I love listening to music mostly and i have a very eclectic taste.
The thing i’m most proud of making here is my picture frame covered in smiley faces My favourite tool is the sanding belt however my best skill is standing on one leg while eating a banana backwards. This year my goal is to finish my ukuleleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Daniel
I’ve worked at Poetry in Wood for a very long time and I love all the mates i’ve met here. I live in a care home in Enfield and i get along well with the manager there. North London is actually my favourite part of London because it’s out of the city and I like my peace and quiet.
If i could go anywhere I’d go to Kent university to study History because i love to learn and study new things. i’m especially interested in ancient history and archeology. I’d also like to study nursing and help the people in my home.
The most precious thing I own is my Nike Air Max Avengas but the thing i’m most proud of making is my Arsenal picture frame with the Juventis team design. My favourite tool to use is the fretsaw, I’m the master of the Fretsaw. My other skills are table tennis, burning, painting and fixing stuff that’s broken.
This year i’d like to travel to Poetry in Wood independently and become a master of mixing paints.
Ryan
I started coming here 6 months ago and I like having a creative place to make art. I live on Devons road solo because i like my peace and quiet. I don’t love my area so I’m thinking of moving nearer to my mum.
I’ve never been abroad but this year i would love to go to Turkey to catch some rays and do some sightseeing. My favourite place in London is the pie and mash restaurant on Chris street - they do the best mince pies.
My prized possessions are my family photos and my PS5 and my favourite game to play is ‘God of War’. The best thing I’ve made here is a full scale model of Thor’s hammer.
I’m skilled at doing neat drawing, painting and burning. Next year i would like to advance to the design studio.
Shola
I have been at Poetry in Wood for a loooong time, maybe 8 years now. I live nearby in a shared house in Bow but i might be moving out soon. I like Bow because it’s a very peaceful and relaxing place.
If I could go anywhere I would go to Austria because it sounds like a pretty place and I’d like to open a dance school there, a contemporary street and salsa one. My place in London is the Tower of London, we’ve been on a few trips there and you can see more of London and go out for nice food there.
The best thing I’ve made here is my box with my designs burned on the sides. I’m also really proud of the ukulele I’m making with Craig. My favourite tool is the Fretsaw because it’s calming to use.
My greatest skill is to work well with others, i love to collaborate and bounce around ideas. This year I would really like to get a job at Poetry in Wood.
Sandy
I’ve been working at Poetry in Wood for about 15 years and I love the peace and quiet of cutting wood. You will often find me on the Mitre saw cutting wood for picture frames and tuning out the world with my headphones.
I am currently neighbours to Mashreka and Alan in independent housing and i’ve been there for 8 or 9 years! My neighbourhood is very nice and really like the people.
My favourite place to be is in a coffee shop because i love a good coffee and a lovely bacon roll. If i could go anywhere though I would go somewhere nice and hot with lovely food and take my mum too. You can also find me watching ‘Good Cop Bad Cop’ on the tele.
I love to make picture frames from start to finish, often with with very colourful and complex designs to wow my relatives. This year at Poetry in Wood my aim is to learn as much as possible!
Salih
I’ve been a Poetry in Wood member since pre-pandemic. I live with my mum and sister in Stamford Hill and we look after each other, they understand me!
My favourite place in London is the British library because i get some peace and quiet to do my script writing and the visitors of the library inspire my characters. If i could go anywhere in the world i would visit Little Italy in Manhattan for a mafia tour and hope to bump into the likes of Robert De Niro & Joe Pesci - The Goodfellas.
My best possessions include my new tablet, my journal full of scripts and my creative writing coursework.
My best skill is making picture frames and my favourite tool is the fretsaw. My proudest creations are a portrait i burned in memory of my granddad, my figurine of Mabel and a drawing I did of granny and grandad. This year i really want to master the fretsaw and get a girlfriend.
Nakeisha
I’ve been working at Poetry in Wood for 10 years and it’s my favourite place to be. I like the friends I’ve made here and I like my teachers. I live nearby in supported living with Charles and my favourite key worker is Rushna because she’s so friendly and patient
If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to Spain and take my mum and sister. I’ve heard it’s hot and has nice beaches and I’ve never been before.
My favourite possession is my grey headphones so i can listen to music, watch films and make phone calls. My favourite song of all time is ‘It’s Like That” by Mariah Carey.
I’m a brilliant burner, tracer and painter and I’m known for working very quickly. My flower photo frames are some of my best works and my favourite tool is the Fretsaw. This year i want to make a big paint box for storing all my paints.
Vivian
I’ve been bringing the drama to Poetry in Wood for 1 or 2 years now and I’d give this place 1028 gold stars. I live nearby in Limehouse with my lovely auntie, cousin and her amazing boyfriend.
What i love about Poetry in Wood is getting to meet new people and act out scenes with them. I especially love playing doctor with objects in the classroom and you can often find me giving CPR to pencils.
If i could go anywhere i would go to Paris to find love, see the Eiffel tower and drink hot chocolate. My favourite part about living in London is the theatre, my favourites are ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Hamilton’. I also love the Young V&A because i once met Rylan Clark there and we both screamed!
The most precious thing to me is my life because you can’t take life for granted. My special skills are being grateful for what i have, making people laugh and coming up with brilliant ideas. For instance i think Poetry in Wood should be put on the tele in a spin off show about woodwork.
Re Re
Since 2017 I’ve been coming to Poetry in Wood and guessing peoples shoe sizes, I’m never wrong. I live close by in Dalston and I love how lively and busy my area is with lots of different cultures.
My favourite place to be is the airport where i can do some plain-spotting, i like seeing all the different types. I’m also a big fan of Tower bridge for walks and people watching.
My trumpet is my favourite possession of all time but i also like to carry around pictures of my favourite places and people to show my friends. I’m most proud of the picture frames I’ve made from start to finish.
My best skills are organising the workshop, remembering peoples birthdays and laying down knives and forks.
Charles
I’ve been working at Poetry in Wood for 3 years and I love coming here! I live nearby in Bromley by Bow and I like my carers and the activities we do. I take pride in my home and clean out my cupboards regularly.
My favourite place to be is Poetry in Wood because I love to be with my friends here. If i was going to go on a trip I’d take all my mates from Poetry in Wood to Butlins because it’s beautiful. They’ve got a swimming pool, bowling ally, a big buffet and an amusement arcade.
My favourite possession is my PS5 and my best game is Coach Bus Simulator. My favourite Poetry in Wood product is the mighty toolbox. My best skills here at Poetry in Wood are teamwork, problem solving and sales.
This year I’d like to receive more certificates and get a job with my mate Adebayo in a wood workshop.
Yoosuf
I’ve almost been at Poetry in Wood for a year! I live around the corner in Bethnal Green with my mum, my two brothers and three sisters. I love having a family dinner but i also like having my own time in my room.
My favourite part of London is the borough of Chelsea and Kensington because I like the seeing its’ architecture and buildings. If i could go anywhere I would go to Dubai because I connect with the culture. I’d also like to visit New York for its’ multiculturalism and diversity.
My best possession is the watch I inherited from my dad and the best thing I’ve made here at poetry in wood is my football frame. I’m also making an abstract sculpture right now from found wood.
My best skill is drilling and chatting about sports with my peers. This year I’d like to be more confident with people and I’d also like to continue with the ukulele project.
Mashreka
This is my fifth year at Poetry in Wood and it’s a great place for being creative. I like the diversity in Poetry in Wood and like that you can make beautiful things here. I live nearby in supported living where you’re mostly independent but you can get help when you need it. I keep my house very tidy and like having my own space to relax in.
My favourite place in London is the Tower of London because it is a beautiful place with a beautiful view and it brings people together from all over. If I went travelling i would go to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Morocco, Bangladesh and Turkey.
My best possessions are my dresses that i love to dance around my room in and make videos. I especially like Bollywood dancing and the quick movements.
I am a very precise tracer, burner and painter and like to make vibrant and complex designs on frames as well as cartoon character figures for my mates. This year I would like to keep making beautiful art!
Craig
I’ve worked at Poetry in Wood for 30 years and lived locally in Tower Hamlets for 40 Years.
If i could go anywhere in the world I would go to the west coast of Ireland for the folk music. My favourite part of London is the canals because…