Raw

A funding request was received from RAW, a social enterprise based in Blackbird Leys making high-quality wooden products and changing lives by employing, training and supporting people who face prejudice and barriers to work.  They state on their website, www.raw-workshop.co.uk that 85% of their team have faced issues such as physical or learning difficulties, mental health illness, recovery from addiction and criminal histories.  The funding request was focussed on the redevelopment of the Barn to enable increased opportunities for engaging those living with mental and physical health illness; aiming to make a powerful and positive impact on the quality of daily life and long-term hope.

The barn initially looked like this:

Work carried out as a result of the funding enabled the team to bring the Barn back to life as a fully functioning retail space for reclaimed wood, as you can see in this 'after shot':