Dan offers group and one-to-one workshops, teaching the craft of split-wood basketry, willow weaving, and woodland work. Alongside the individual and group sessions, community work sits at the heart of what Dan does. He's passionate about making basketry and woodland crafts accessible to people who might never otherwise get the chance to pick up these skills.

Craft for everyone

A lot of Dan's work is about reaching people who face barriers to trying something new, whether that's cost, mobility, isolation, or simply not knowing a workshop like this exists. He works regularly with disadvantaged groups and older people across the North East, bringing craft to communities and local groups.

Sitting down together with willow or ash in your hands is a slow, hands-on, sociable thing to do; Dan has seen first-hand how much that matters for people's well-being. Conversation flows naturally when hands are busy, and a shared project gives people a reason to keep coming back to a group.

Some of the workshops and groups Dan has led include:

• Manmade Community Wellness Group, Jack Drum Arts, County Durham — using woodland crafts as a focus for a men's group built around connection and mental health support; working with community grassroots organisation Jack Drum Arts, Dan has taught skills in green woodwork, basketry and sculpture.

• Newcastle Libraries, Newcastle City Council — craft sessions run as part of a wider health initiative ‘Give it up For’ supporting people to quit smoking, using basketry and weaving as a positive, absorbing replacement activity.

• Smaller one-off sessions — smaller community sessions and one-off projects aimed at spreading the enjoyment of craft locally and further afield, introducing new people to weaving and split-wood basketry who might not otherwise encounter it. Examples include working with Newcastle Parks, Gosforth Nature Reserve, Heaton Festival, Into the Wild Festival, Weekend in the Woods.

If you run a community group, wellness project, or charity and think your members would benefit from a hands-on craft session, Dan would love to hear from you. Price is variable depending on numbers and includes all materials — please get in touch for more details.