Inclusive hands-on workshops in carpentry, building, salvage and repair have received critical operational support thanks to an $81,000 grant from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

Based in the Byron Shire, Shedding Community Workshop Inc (Shedding) supports over 4000 community members by taking a trauma-informed approach to improving Northern Rivers resilience in the face of disaster by teaching practical skills in an inclusive environment which prioritises mental health and community connection.

With demand for trauma-informed hands-on workshops increasing following the 2022 floods, the grant will allow Shedding to implement a scalable and sustainable model to ensure they are accessible to all who would benefit from the workshops, including through pop-ups that this year will visit Lismore, Wardell, Uki, Kyogle, and South Golden Beach.

Shedding Director Sophie Wilksch said that the last few years of pandemics and natural disasters have revealed that communities are in desperate need of practical skills and community connection.

“Our communities want to be an active part of a sustainable future, and our training offers hands-on skills in both carpentry and repair, and also wellbeing practices,” Ms Wilksch said.

“These are practices that help us work together as a team and as a community, supporting a model for resilience that puts wellbeing first, and we see the importance of this in the huge number of people seeking our inclusive workshops as well as the number of volunteers who return to support others.

“We’re really excited for our future, and thrilled that Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has also seen potential in what we do.”

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Executive Officer Carly Bush said that Shedding’s holistic approach to community resilience was reaping rewards.

“Resilience is much more than being able to pick up some tools and get your hands dirty when the situation requires it, resilience is also found in how we acknowledge, respond to, and heal after traumatic events,” Ms Bush said.

“The trauma-informed approach that Shedding Community Workshop Inc takes is exceptional, and that’s clear through the number of people who have participated because they know it is accessible, inclusive, and friendly.

“Now, perhaps more than ever, we need grassroots organisations like Shedding Community Workshop Inc and at Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation we’re really looking forward to seeing what they achieve next.”