Learn Skills, Build Confidence and Explore Traditional Heritage Skills
Forge Ahead, our new Trailblazer-funded project, supports people to develop new skills and explore future employment opportunities through traditional heritage skills training.
Through a range of tailored learning opportunities across Ruthin, Denbigh, Maeshafn, Llangollen and Corwen, participants can get involved in heritage crafts and rural skills training including Blacksmithing, Woodwork, Textiles, Wool, Painting, Clay, Printmaking, Land-based crafts and more!
Forge Ahead
About the project
Forge Ahead is a fully funded programme for eligible Denbighshire residents who are currently out of work, offering opportunities to build on existing skills or learn something completely new through heritage crafts and traditional skills training. Whether you’d like to develop a hobby into a business, create and sell your crafts, or explore volunteering or employment, Forge Ahead can help you take the next step.
Participants can access practical training and group learning activities, alongside personalised one-to-one support and guidance from our skilled heritage tutors. We’ll work with you to explore your interests, build confidence and connect you with opportunities that match your goals.
Our tailored support can help you overcome barriers, improve wellbeing and develop practical skills for everyday life, further learning, self-employment or employment. Employability skills are embedded throughout the programme, helping learners develop practical skills that can be used in everyday life, further learning and future opportunities.
Forge Ahead Opportunities
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For those looking to progress further, Forge Ahead offers opportunities to gain accredited qualifications, develop transferable enterprise skills or train as a heritage craft tutor.
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Participants interested in creating and selling their own products will receive support to market items through online platforms or local retail outlets. Traditional Skills will also operate a social enterprise, allowing participants to sell their products and gain valuable experience while building their confidence, skills and customer base.
By bringing together learners, heritage tutors, community organisations, employers and support services, Forge Ahead aims to improve confidence, wellbeing and skills, increase participation in learning, and help more people move closer to employment or into work.
How it works
Have a chat
We’ll arrange a friendly chat to tell you more about Forge Ahead, find out which traditional skills you’d like to learn or develop, and explore what goals you’d like to achieve through the project.
Check your eligibility
We’ll check your eligibility and, if you’re eligible, guide you through our simple enrolment process.
Explore the courses
Once enrolled, you’ll have access to our Forge Ahead Course Calendar webpage, with over 100 fully-funded sessions. You can find details on all our upcoming workshops, and book the sessions that suit you!
Our Course Locations
Gwlângollen
Llangollen
Canolfan Ni
Corwen
Outside Lives
Denbigh
Traditional Skills Workshop
Mold
Llangollen Railway
Llangollen
Cae Dai Gardens
Ruthin
Crown House
Ruthin
Green Works
Ruthin
Who can take part?
To be eligible, you must:
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Be aged 16 or over
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Have the legal right to live and work in the UK
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Live in Denbighshire
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Not currently be in work, full-time education or training within the next 2 weeks and haven't actively looked for work in the last 4 weeks.
You must also meet at least one of the following criteria:
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Have a disability or health condition (including autism, Asperger's, ADHD, or other social or behavioural conditions)
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Have childcare or other caring responsibilities
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Be an asylum seeker or refugee
Anyone who does not meet this criteria is NOT eligible to be supported through the Trailblazer funding.
Interested in finding out more?
Complete the form below and we'll be in touch to arrange a friendly chat. We'll talk through the eligibility criteria, answer any questions you have, and discuss how we can support you in achieving your goals!
