The base of our operations is the Coach Houses at 84 Belmont Lane and various gap sites and previously neglected ground in its vicinity which we have landscaped and incorporated as locations for the activities of our service users.
Belmont Lane
The groundwork of the project was started in 1996, when the local residents around Belmont Lane, near Kelvinbridge in Glasgow, became increasingly concerned about the 8 gap sites in the area. These gaps sites, where buildings had been demolished, were becoming overgrown, infected with vermin and were affecting the amenity of the community.
The Belmont Lane Community Gardens Association was formed to address this issue. At the same time, a local supported accommodation provider was looking for productive work in the community for people coming out of long term institutional care with a range of mental health, addiction and learning problems. These organisations formed a partnership which also included a group working in the field of alcohol rehabilitation. A small grant from Glasgow City Council bought the necessary tools and equipment, and work was started on the gap sites in 1997, restoring, designing and developing community green-spaces.
Art
Based in The Coach House building at Belmont Lane, the art and crafts workshop is one of the core activities at the CHT. Over twenty people - from a variety of backgrounds, experience and ability attend the Coach House Trust Art and Craft workshops. Prior experience in art is not required and people can attend at different times throughout the week. Many discover or indeed rediscover an awareness of the positive and empowering aspects of creating art and thus gain individual confidence in the very process.
The workshops are relatively informal and emphasis is on individual development. More people can choose their activity and work at their own pace. Practical support and worthwhile work is offered to help people productively reintegrate into community life. A large range and prolific quantity of art work is created under the careful tutelage of Rita Winters, Angie Goddard and Annie Bidault who between them have vast professional experience, skill and expertise in producing their own art and encouraging others.
Carving
Woodcarving workshops are among the most popular at the Coach House and it's easy to see why. Under the watchful eye of tutor Phil Benson, fallen trees, driftwood and reclaimed timber spring to life as a variety of beautiful objects such as animals or even tables and chairs.
Phil strives to gives his students a sense of self esteem and achievement, in most cases he will take the time to assesses the individuals potential and steer them in the right direction. Perhaps the best part of the carving is the fact that it is a truly inclusive workshop each and every one has the ability to do the smallest task perhaps only sanding one of the many sculptures already hewn by others, indeed this provides a welcome escape from many of the pressures people may face.
Catering.
Our capable kitchen staff and volunteers
provide a healthy home made three
course meals every day. Training is available in
basic cookery skills and
food hygiene.
Some outreach work has been done with asylum groups and the local Chinese and Asian communities as well as with the local schools
Friends & Funders of The Coach House Trust
