Sharing, Learning and Friendships
The Shed is community hub based in Hull Churches Housing’s former maintenance workshop, just off Hessle Road an area once at the very heart of Hull’s fishing community. We tentatively opened our doors in 2021 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic at a time when connection felt more important than ever.
In partnership with Levels and a dedicated group of volunteers, and driven by a shared belief in people, creativity, and sustainability, we began turning this industrial space into something meaningful.
Today, The Shed is welcoming, caring and compassionate place, where people can come together to explore their creativity, learn new skills and share their own talents. Together we are working to reduce social isolation, improve wellbeing, build skills & help mitigate climate change on our doorstep. Through helping people to gain the skills, resources and opportunities to breathe new life into things destined for landfill and to live more sustainably and affordably. We want everyone to feel the passion of our cause, to respect the environment and to join in.
Our Approach
The Shed is more than a place to rethink waste, it’s a welcoming space where we embrace quirks, diversity and creativity and people are supported, valued and able to contribute. Our story is one of care, creativity and connection, where small moments of creativity can have lasting impact. At The Shed people and friendships grow as together they discover the joy in making, experience the therapeutic impact of crafting and reconnect with themselves and others.
What we do at The Shed
With a focus on re-purposing and reuse we provide:
- Dedicated workshop for woodworking, up-cycling, carving marquetry etc.
- A sewing room and paper crafts area, where people can learn skills including sewing, quilting, crochet and card making.
Open Monday to Friday we provide a mix of:
- Drop-in Sessions
- Taster Days
- Bite Size Courses
- Weekly Workshops
Last year together Levels and The Shed supported over 120 people through a wide range of therapeutic crafting activities.
- Seventy percent of the adults we support were living with long-term physical or mental health issues.
- Over twenty percent of our participants registered disabled
- The majority of those we support are facing significant challenges such as loneliness, trauma, grief, anxiety, PTSD or recovery and others have additional needs or are neurodiverse. In our supportive environment, everyone feels valued and able to contribute.
Our Projects
Ladies That Lunch
Ladies That Lunch is a friendly weekly group that meets every Thursday at The Shed, offering women the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence, and enjoy social connections in a welcoming and supportive environment. The group encourages creativity, friendship, and personal development through a variety of activities and workshops. Ladies That Lunch is supported by Two Ridings Community Foundation through the Randal Foundation Fund. Each session includes creative workshops such as sewing, knitting, crochet, artificial flower arranging, vinyl and sticker cutting, paper crafts and more.
The group aims to reduce isolation, build confidence, and support positive mental health by creating meaningful social connections. Through regular social lunches and creative activities, participants are encouraged to learn new skills, share experiences, and build lasting friendships. The programme helps women feel valued, connected, and part of a caring community where everyone has a place to belong.
Thursdays, 10:00am – 2:00pm
“It’s given me a light in my life when things where fairly dark. I would definitely recommend The Shed to others, where a friendly group.”
– Ladies That Lunch Participant
“I love coming to The Shed, I’ve enjoyed it so much, I’ve learnt so much, skills and crafts, and I most definitely recommend it, I do recommend to people and friends”.
– Ladies That Lunch Participant
Marquetry
Since 2025, our dedicated volunteers, TC and Claire, have led the Woodpeckers project, which began as a weekly one-hour session focused on marquetry. Thanks to growing interest and enthusiasm from participants, it has quickly become one of The Shed’s most valued and engaging activities. Through support from the Joseph and Annie Cattle Trust, we are now able to offer two 2-hour sessions each week, giving participants more time and opportunity to learn traditional marquetry skills.
“It’s far more than a workshop, it’s a warm, welcoming place, filled with kindness, creativity, laughter, and truly remarkable people. Being a part of The Shed is a privilege, and I am continuously inspired by the generosity, talent and spirit of everybody there.”
– Claire, Woodpeckers Marquetry Volunteer
“The Shed is unique in providing support to learn and share skills. TC & Claire are amazingly talented to say the least.”
– Marquetry Participant
The group has become much more than a workshop; it has developed into a supportive community of friendship. Through WhatsApp, Woodpeckers members regularly share images of pieces they have made at The Shed, updates on their progress with projects at home, and simple daily check-ins with their new friends. This ongoing communication reflects the strong sense of belonging and mutual encouragement that has grown far beyond the weekly sessions.
Fridays, 10:00am – 12:00pm
“I loved today, everyone makes me feel so welcome.”
– Marquetry Participant
“I’m so so pleased with it.. can’t believe I’ve finally done it. It really has brought tears to my eyes. I just love it!”
– Marquetry Participant
“Wow! The power of marquetry!!!”
— Marquetry Participant