What we’re about
The Goodlife Centre provides interesting practical ‘hands on’ workshops where everyone can gain new skills and enjoy expanding their confidence and abilities. All classes are open to men and women and are intended to teach skills to beginners and are not intended as trade training courses. We do not test or evaluate – so you can relax while you learn.
Our workshop leaders are all experts in their field and enjoy passing on their knowledge in an informal and safe environment. In any course, you will learn by practice and enjoy the support of fellow classmates. The classes are small, which makes plenty of time for one on one learning.
Some of the evening workshops incorporate on going learning. You can return to increase your level of understanding.
If you are frustrated by your own inability to tackle a task, or resentful of having to pay someone to take care of simple home maintenance – welcome. We know how annoying it is to have to wait till some handy side kick can get round to the tasks you wish would just get done.
For many who spend their days typing at a keyboard or in a job with abstract goals, the level of satisfaction from learning a practical skill is a wonderful stress buster after an unfulfilled day.
If you are a DIY phobic, a bit wary or a Gung Ho ‘Let me at it’ type, our small practical classes aim to fast track you through the basics, guided by professionals who will share their expertise to instill you with the confidence to go it alone.
If you hanker for more knowledge about maintaining your property or would just love to learn more skills – Come on down.
Please contact us via our website to ask any questions.
* Listings for our events on Meet Up is for information only. *
* Booking is ONLY possible via https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk*
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- INTRO TO FURNITURE RESTORATION – 1 DAYThe Goodlife Centre, London£210.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-furniture-restoration-1-day-80/
⋆⋆⋆Revamp your tired woodwork. Get the Ra Ra back into your furniture – jazz up those car boot finds and old junk.
Many of us own items that wouldn’t star on ‘Antiques Roadshow’ but are pieces that would benefit from a gentle sprucing up. In this one-day starter class, our tutor will walk you through how to tackle those forlorn but beloved pieces of less valuable furniture that need some tender loving care.
You will learn how to apply a solution to a problem piece-whether it’s a white ring left by a cup or a scratch in the varnish and have hands-on practice of removing varnish and refinishing woodwork. You will also explore the world of glues and clamps to learn about tackling a wobbly chair and re-attaching loose trims and veneers.
Please bring your own piece to work on. Lots of charity shops sell old boxes and shabby cabinets. You can pick up a bargain on eBay. We have easy step-free access to the centre and you can find a place to park fairly easily nearby. It may not be possible to finish your own work, but if it's a wobbly chair we can show you how to re-glue it back together and the tutor can help you identify what needs to be done.
We don’t cover furniture painting on this day course.
The use of all tools and basic materials is included. Beginners welcome.
- INTRO TO UPHOLSTERY – 1 DAYThe Goodlife Centre, London£210.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-upholstery-1-day-114/
⋆⋆⋆KEY PROJECT: MODERN FOAM-FILLED DROP-IN SEAT
All of our upholstery classes are for absolute beginners. It doesn’t matter which one you choose to take first. Each technique that is offered is part of all the processes every upholsterer has to learn.
We supply all tools and materials.
One-day workshop. 10am – 5pm.
Join us for a fascinating day of discovery as we delve into the fabulous world of upholstery. A Professional upholsterer will show how to use all the specialist tools to strip out and untack old upholstery and how to recover a simple modern chair seat to transform your tired furniture into raving beauty.
One of the modules that professional upholsterers have been examined on is the process of making a modern ‘drop-in’ dining seat. You will learn about foam and how to select the correct density and compression rate. By building up foam and applying the additional layers of calico and polyester, everyone learns how to complete the project by tensioning top and bottoming fabric with confidence. In a professional upholstery company, the apprentice learns by making many drop-in seats before being let loose on more complicated items.
We begin the day by learning how to strip out old upholstery. You will learn how to use traditional specialist hand tools to remove staples and tacks from upholstered furniture to prepare for replacing the upholstery.
You don’t have to bring a chair to the workshop, as we provide simple wood panels for you to cover and take home, but if you have a tatty covered stool, dining chair or drop-in seat you would like to start work on, we would be happy to show you how to unpick the tacks or staples from it. It is always very enjoyable to see what ‘lies beneath’. It may not be possible to finish recovering your project during the one-day workshop, but we will advise you on the next steps and you will gain confidence to tackle simple jobs by working on the wood panel we provide. At the end of the day, you will have a chance to learn how to web a frame using a hand web stretcher with magnetic hammers and tacks.
You can use a fabric of your own, or use one of our selection of upholstery fabrics at the centre. The use of all tools and materials is included.
We also have a selection of tools and materials that we use in our workshops for sale at the centre for you to continue your new hobby at home.
Beginners welcome. These workshops fill fast!
Warning: Upholstery can become addictive.
- MAKE A PLANT HOLDERThe Goodlife Centre, London£210.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-plant-holder-36/
⋆⋆⋆A good woodworker has a number of basic joints in their virtual toolbelt that they can use for any project. We have devised a lovely one-day introduction to woodwork skills which is a homage to the not-so-humble mortise and tenon joint – one of the essential joints required if you are looking to create sturdy pieces of furniture that can be fitted together like a beautiful 3D puzzle.
A mortise (or mortice) and tenon joint connects two pieces of wood mainly when the adjoining pieces connect at right angles. In its most basic form, a mortise and tenon joint is both simple and strong and comprises two components, the mortise hole and the tenon tongue.
The tenon, formed on the end of a piece of wood generally referred to as a rail, fits into a square or rectangular hole cut into the other, corresponding piece of wood. The tenon is cut to fit the mortise hole exactly. It usually has shoulders that seat when the joint fully enters the mortise hole. The joint may be glued, pinned, or wedged to lock it in place.
Over the course of this hands-on, practical day the tutor will give you careful direction in the use of using traditional tools. You will learn how to measure and cut accurately, how to use a chisel to make four ‘mortise and tenons’, how to use a plane to shape and apply a smooth finish to edges, and how to slot it all firmly together.
The result will be a strong, standing plant pot holder that will proudly support a plant to brighten up a corner of any room and stand as a lasting testament to your joint making skills.
An elegant 20cm white pot is included for you to take home with your new plant pot holder – we’ll leave it to you to decide how to fill it.
This workshop is suitable for all ages. Small class size = plenty of attention.
All personal protection and use of tools and materials are included. Suitable for beginners.
- ZERO WASTE SEWING WORKSHOPThe Goodlife Centre, London£235.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/zero-waste-sewing-workshop/
⋆⋆⋆Join us for a 2-day Zero Waste Sewing Workshop, where you’ll transform just 1-2 of fabric (depending on your size) into a beautiful, functional item ( skirt, trousers or culottes) —making clothes that generate minimal waste! In this hands-on class, you’ll learn step by step how to use all of your fabric by using innovative, sustainable techniques.
You’ll combine how to maximize fabric efficiency and hone your sewing skills. We supply the use of tools and resources, including calico which you will use to make a ‘toile’ (an inexpensive mock up) of your chosen final fabric. You will need to bring your fabric for day one of the workshop please refer to the materials tab for full details.
You’ll also gain valuable insights into eco-friendly pattern-making, fabric manipulation, and the principles of zero waste design. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a finished project, the knowledge of sustainable sewing practices, and the confidence to continue creating mindful, waste-free pieces at home.
Classes are taught in relaxed small groups in our light and airy first floor studio. Teaching consists of demonstrations and group teaching as well as lots of machine sewing and one-to-one and peer support.
If you aren’t confident at using a sewing machine, we recommend our ‘Intro to Sewing machines’ one day class first.
