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 WOODWORK – FLIP LID DOVETAIL BOX – 6 AFTERNOONSThe Goodlife Centre, London£365.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-woodwork-flip-lid-dovetail-box-5-afternoons/
⋆⋆⋆Suitable for: Confident beginners
Course length: 6 weeks – afternoons
Dates: See below for individual dates/times
Key tools: Marking tools, hand saws, chisels, hand planes
Project: Flip-lid dovetail boxDetails:
An absorbing five-week course for confident beginners and an enjoyable learning experience for anyone with a little woodworking experience. Using a fusion of hardwood and softwood, this five-week 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 the 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.
Key skills:
- Measuring marking and cutting dovetail joints to make an accurate framed box.
- Planing and shaping a hardwood lid to fit the softwood frame base.
- Making and fitting a hardwood dowel joint to attach the frame base to the lid.
- CARPENTRY FOR BEGINNERS – 12 AFTERNOONS – WOOD TABLEThe Goodlife Centre, London£640.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/carpentry-for-beginners-12-afternoons-wood-table-30/
⋆⋆⋆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.
This series of workshops will run every Monday afternoon from 2:30pm – 5:00pm. - INTRO TO WOODWORK – FLIP LID DOVETAIL BOX – 6 EVENINGSThe Goodlife Centre, London£365.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/intro-to-woodwork-flip-lid-dovetail-box-5-evenings/
⋆⋆⋆Suitable for: Confident beginners
Course length: 5 weeks – evenings 6-9pm
Dates: See below for individual dates/times
Key tools: Marking tools, hand saws, chisels, hand planes
Project: Flip-lid dovetail boxDetails:
An absorbing five-week course for confident beginners and an enjoyable learning experience for anyone with a little woodworking experience. Using a fusion of hardwood and softwood, this five-week 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 the 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.
Key skills:
- Measuring marking and cutting dovetail joints to make an accurate framed box.
- Planing and shaping a hardwood lid to fit the softwood frame base.
- Making and fitting a hardwood dowel joint to attach the frame base to the lid.
- MAKE A WOOD CHAIR – 12 EVENINGSThe Goodlife Centre, London£675.00
Bookable via our website ➡️ https://www.thegoodlifecentre.co.uk/events/make-a-wood-chair-11-evenings/
⋆⋆⋆A brand new varied and multi-skill twelve-week evening course.
Over twelve evenings you will learn how to make a planked redwood seat and fit splayed oak or sapele legs and back rails to make an elegant ‘Staked’ chair.
This version is derived from an ‘open source’ drawing in the Anarchist’s Design Book by Lost Art Press. The prototype has been made by the tutor- Auram Desforge, who grew up working on timber frame houses with his father in Canada.
Each stage of the process will be demonstrated and then, using mostly traditional hand tools, you will produce a chair using the classic ‘Through wedged tenons’ with an elegant, curved back created from glueing together bent veneers in a press. You will be able to learn the pleasure of handling spokeshaves, a ‘bit and brace’ and fine finishing with cabinet scrapers. There is also some use of our workshop machines that you will be trained to use.
Learn to measure, mark and make. Use the evenings to immerse yourself into the calming mental space of woodwork.
Suitable for beginners. Trust the tools. You don’t have to be a lumberjack to master this chair.
The use of all materials and tools is included.
Mondays 6.30 – 9.00pm
