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- DIY IN A DAY – PLUMBINGThe Goodlife Centre, London£210.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/diy-in-a-day-plumbing-152/
⋆⋆⋆Learn how to tackle some basic plumbing tasks around the home in this practical, hands-on workshop.
During this one-day weekend workshop, our experienced tutor will walk you through some ‘dry’ exercises to top up your skills in the ‘wet arts’ of your home.
Plumbing = Water in and water out. There will be plenty of time to learn how to isolate the water supply, fix a leaky tap, rescue something from a U bend and unclog a blocked sink. All the basic essentials that you need to be able to do yourself without the expense of calling someone in.
Learn the principles of replacing a tap, if the replacement washer didn’t do the trick, or if you are just a fashionista that wants the latest design. Get the know-how of how to fit a washing machine and a dishwasher to the ‘loo’, where you will learn how to replace any non-working part in your cistern.
Warm up your knowledge of your heating system – how it works and how and when to bleed a radiator or adjust the pressure on your boiler.
You will also practice how to remove and replace silicone sealant around the bath and shower. So you can go home and give your bathroom a mini-makeover, without spending a fortune.
All of our courses take place in a safe environment. There is no use of blow torch or welding equipment and no running water systems. Every exercise is done on dry disconnected examples but with enough detail to add confidence to any learner.
This course is created to add to any homeowner’s proficiency and sense of self-sufficiency. It will also benefit housing landlords who want to take on minor repairs in their properties.
Leave with the confidence to tackle some basic plumbing jobs around the house and gain some independence.
All personal protection, tools and materials are included. Beginners welcome.
- INTRO TO TRADITIONAL UPHOLSTERY – WEEKENDThe Goodlife Centre, London£378.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-traditional-upholstery-weekend-38/
⋆⋆⋆If you would like to get stuck into a project a bit more traditional than the drop-in dining chair seat that we tackle in our ‘Intro to Upholstery‘ workshop, this chance to make a footstool you will own forever is the very thing for you.
Over two full days, an experienced upholsterer will fast-track you through the wonderful world of upholstery and help you build a fabulous footstool using traditional methods. Choose from our selection of top fabrics, or bring your own, and squeal with delight when you see the gracious cabriole legs that your footstool will be fitted with. Don’t worry about lugging a heavy piece of furniture around town, you can leave your work at The Goodlife Centre between classes if you choose. Plenty of guidance in a small group with a great tutor. To upholster your own chair see our project-based upholstery course – Bring Your Own Chair to Upholster.
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 that every upholsterer has to learn.
KEY PROCESS: TRADITIONALLY BUILT AND SEWED
Before the advent of foam in the middle of the twentieth century, the only way to make wooden seats more comfortable was to build up layers using available materials. The small fabric footstool is built from layers of woven webbing, hessian, vegetable fibre, animal hair, and calico and is sewn with specialist needles and stitches. Although this method is more labour-intensive than the modern method of using foam, it is much longer lasting and preferred in more expensive pieces of furniture.Use fabric of your own, or use one of our luxurious 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.
Course Dates: This course is run over a weekend. Saturday & Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm.
- RUSH MATTINGThe Goodlife Centre, London£210.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/rush-matting-15/
⋆⋆⋆John Page will teach the endangered craft of rush-plaited matting.
Rush matting has been used as the flooring of choice by grand houses and great cathedrals in the past. Now it is practised by few and produced by even fewer.
Here is a chance to make a small mat using the traditional techniques.
FAQs
How can I hope to learn anything about such a complex craft?
John will prepare the long lengths of rush by damping them beforehand so they are soft and pliable. He will help each learner produce a finished mat to take home. Depending on people’s speed and desire, The finished item could be an elegant centre-piece for a table or a small mat for the floor. This method is a technique that can be enlarged to become a mat that has warmth and durability. We offer a list of suppliers to help you continue practicing at home.Any dangers?
The rushes are soft and flexible and when wet, the studio smells like a riverwalk. The tools include big needles and scissors but most of the work is done with only hands.What do I need to bring?
We supply everything for this course. The rushes are pre-soaked. Most of the tools are simple and easily available from hardware stores if you wish to continue your new hobby at home. A couple of special tools can be handcrafted or bought from suppliers listed in the notes.About Jon Page
Tutor John Page began his basketmaking career with a City & Guilds course in creative basketry, having been greatly impressed by the Crafts Council’s Contemporary International Basketry exhibition. He is a yeoman member of the Basketmakers Livery Company and repairs harps. John also teaches how to make Rush and Willow baskets at The Goodlife Centre. - TABLETOP BOOKCASEThe Goodlife Centre, London£380.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/tabletop-bookcase/
⋆⋆⋆Suitable for absolute beginners. No prior experience in woodworking is required for this course.
Make a small tenoned Arts & Crafts style bookcase. This tabletop bookcase will sit nicely on the kitchen counter to store your cookbooks or on your desk. Designed to knockdown for easy transportation or storage. The structure is given rigidty using the tenon pegging method.
Even if you have never used any tools, a professional cabinet maker will teach you the processes of using handtools giving a sense of satisfaction that comes with hand crafting.
You will learn how to measure and mark timber accurately, use a tenon saw, chisel, hand plane, pillar drill and bandsaw.
