A bird box making workshop with Impact Arts

The young people taking part in Impact Arts’ Creative Pathways were recently visited by us to help them build some bird boxes!

Over 12-week blocks, Impact Arts are helping people aged 16+ who are out of work, education or training to get them feeling more confident and gain the SQA accredited Employability Award. As part of their community/environment project, they asked us to facilitate a workshop. John, one of our woodworkers, worked with the young people to build and decorate some bird boxes from reclaimed pallet wood.

Read on to learn about the workshop and what everyone enjoyed most.

WHY BIRD BOXES?

Their Creative Pathways project was based at Summerlee Heritage Museum in Coatbridge, a museum which showcases Scotland’s industrial history. Based on the site of a 19th century ironworks, there’s a lot to learn with how industry has affected our landscape.

It was this location which inspired the young people, sparking conversation around the environment and the impact we have on animals and insects. The group decided that they wanted to create something that would benefit the wildlife and help protect the biodiversity of the surrounding area.

CONSTRUCTION

First, John demonstrated how to put together all the components for the birdbox, teaching the creative group how to use the tools carefully and safely.

He then guided them when it came to making their own. Jamie said the most challenging part for some of the participants was cutting the rubber for the lid. The final output was worth it in the end though!

PAINTING

It wasn’t until designing and painting the bird boxes that their individual characters really shone through. This was John’s favourite part. His loved the Barbie one, and said the sun one was also really clever.

THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART?

It seemed that the participants loved the workshop. Finding out about what they liked most, Jamie Lee Aitken, Creative Lead at Impact Arts said:

“The young people really enjoyed the session, especially how hands on it was. They also liked the fact that the wood was recycled, meaning there was less of an impact on the environment. One participant said that this was not something they’d usually find enjoyable, but ended up saying, ‘this is actually fun’.”

THEIR FINAL HOME

The bird boxes are going to be donated to Summerlee Heritage Museum as part of a wider project they’re developing to help preserve the biodiversity and showcase the wildlife surrounding the museum.

You better get yourself over to Coatbridge soon to take a look. Let us know if you see them, and please send us a photo (or tag us in a wee pic if you have us on social media)!