About us
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
131
- £95.00
BASIC DRILL SKILLS - EVENING
The Goodlife Centre, 49/55 Great Guildford Street, London, GBBookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/basic-drill-skills-168/
⋆⋆⋆Would you like to put shelves and curtains up … that stay up? You are not alone!
In this fast-paced evening workshop, we share the ‘know-how’ of a corded and cordless drill. We’ll show you why the power tool is your friend and give you the confidence to master it in just one evening.
Identify what any wall is made of and learn how to select the correct combination of drill bit, wall fixing and screw to ensure that your shelves can hold your heavy items and flat-screen TVs, curtains and blinds stay up. Learn to drill into tile and brick without creating a shallow, wide hole and a cloud of dust!
Leave with the skills, confidence and know-how to go home and hang those pictures and shelves that have sat on your floor for months, waiting to reach their full potential.
All tools and materials supplied.
Beginners welcome.
2 attendees - £695.00
HARD WOOD TREASURE BOX
The Goodlife Centre, 49/55 Great Guildford Street, London, GBBookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/hard-wood-treasure-box-17/
⋆⋆⋆Suitable for: Absolute beginners. No prior experience in woodworking is required for this course.
About: A taster in using professional woodworking machines to make a hardwood box.
This is a content rich three-day course in a very small class size which includes:
- Supervised use of woodwork machinery. (surface planer thicknesser, panel saw, table router, hand router and bandsaw.)
- Learning how to use jigs.
- Solid wood carcass construction.
From a technical drawing and a length of timber to the final sanding of the completed box, expert cabinet maker, Chris Burley will guide each learner through all the steps needed to create this hardwood treasure box. The box measures 330mm x 210mm x 150mm and can be used to store lots of special things and perhaps become an heirloom!
The beautiful hardwood and veneers used for this project has been sourced and prepared from a sustainable woodyard. The course begins by explaining how to stay safe while using our professional and powerful woodworking machines. Chris will talk you through the materials and tools you will be using and let you practice before beginning the project. We have created a cutting list so that each person can learn how to process the wood and begin making very quickly.
If you hanker to use some big machines and learn how to use jigs and to work accurately from plans, this is a great course for you.
Steps to making your own Treasure Box:
- Student introductions, inspirations and knowledge.
- Introduction to the project.
- Health and Safety.
- Understanding the materials and tools we will be using in this course (wood technology, proper usage of the tools, jigs).
- Practice on how to use the tools and jigs in the workshop.
- Cutting list.
- Making.
Each student will be provided with a printed technical drawing
Use of tools and materials supplied.
1 attendee - £650.00
CARPENTRY FOR BEGINNERS – 12 EVENINGS – WOOD TABLE
The Goodlife Centre, 49/55 Great Guildford Street, London, GBBookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/carpentry-for-beginners-12-afternoons-wood-table-36/
⋆⋆⋆In this throw-away age, when all the furniture we own is assembled and not built, we are pleased to offer an opportunity to spend some precious time learning how to use ageless tools to make something everlasting from wood. These 12 evenings are a perfect starting point for many aspects of woodwork that will give you the confidence to choose and replicate basic wood joints into other projects.
Using a mixture of traditional hand tools and modern drills and saws, experienced Woodworker, Len Conway will guide and inspire you as he teaches age-old techniques in joinery. As you begin making objects traditionally constructed from seasoned pine, you will learn how to use and care for chisels, saws, planes and spokeshaves. Len is an experienced woodworker and teacher.
Students will work on a variety of exercises – designed to incorporate simple to advanced joints and tools that build confidence and independence.
Over 12 weeks, we will cover many aspects of traditional carpentry tuition. There will be lots of practical exercises in each session including a project to make a simple frame table that you will take home.
Students will work on a variety of exercises – designed to incorporate simple to advanced joints and tools that build confidence and independence.
Step I – We will get familiar with some tools of the trade:
- Introducing basic tools. Equipping a toolbox for home carpentry.
- Timber selection/marking out and cutting. Tips on woods, saws and drills.
- Using a plane, different types of planes. Sharpening tips and practice.
- Using a chisel and its uses. Sharpening tips and practice.
Step II – You will use planes, chisels and marking tools:
- Simple joints and why we use them.
- Half joints, lap joints. Practice using chisels and planes.
- Bridle joints and a mortise and tenon
Step III – You will make a simple project to take home:
It’s fast-paced but with the support of Len, you will complete your own project to make a simple frame and legs for a small table- Work from selected pine and measure, mark and cut pieces.
- Choose and make joints, assemble and secure with adhesive or screws.
- Sand and smooth to a stage where your project is ready for staining or waxing and taken home with pride.
All personal protection, the use of tools and basic materials are included.
1 attendee - £390.00
INTRO TO WOODWORK – FLIP LID DOVETAIL BOX – 6 AFTERNOONS
The Goodlife Centre, 49/55 Great Guildford Street, London, GBBookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-woodwork-flip-lid-dovetail-box-6-afternoons-53/
⋆⋆⋆Course: Intro to Woodwork – Flip Lid Dovetail Box
Suitable for: Confident beginners. Some basic woodworking experience is useful for this course but not necessary.
About: Using a fusion of hardwood and softwood, this six week evening course will teach you the fundamentals of woodwork and give you an opportunity to use classic hand tools; brass backed tenon saws, sharp wood chisels and delicately honed vintage wood planes.
An absorbing course for confident beginners and a enjoyable learning experience for anyone with a little woodworking experience.
Using a fusion of hardwood and softwood, this six week evening course will teach you the fundamentals of woodwork and give you an opportunity to use classic hand tools; brass backed tenon saws, sharp wood chisels and delicately honed vintage wood planes.
This well proportioned flip lidded box is constructed of European Redwood using a single dovetail joint at each corner and the fitted hardwood lid is attached to the base by a handmade ‘dowel’ peg hinge. The project will familiarise learners with many classic woodwork techniques and is taught with patience and enthusiasm by Andy Nicholl, who has devised this informative and challenging project.
You will take home a treasure to treasure and we hope it will enthuse you to learn how to make many handmade woodwork projects in the years to come.
If your keyboard weary hands have been needing a skill to fulfil and satisfy a yearning desire to create something you can hold, come and join us in our well equipped and inspiring workshops and discover the wonderful world of woodwork.
Check our website for other event timetables ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/intro-to-woodwork-flip-lid-dovetail-box/
1 attendee
Past events
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