Spring 2009 (Pennine)
Students from Wakefield and the North of England come to Pennine College between the ages of 16 and 25. At this crucial stage in their lives, we help them to grow through learning a range of creative crafts and skills. 
Students like Hannah, Mike and Laura (pictured above) have the chance to learn basketry, weaving, carpentry, candle-making or farming. By doing so, they develop vital social skills, boosting their self-esteem and their ability to interact with others around them.
Each student has a programme to fit their individual needs: one they have a hand in shaping and guiding, giving them a real sense of being listened to and respected.
The need to build a new Rural Crafts Centre
At the moment, we’d love to increase the range of things we can teach, as well as double the number of our day students, but are prevented by the limited space we have. Our Rural Craft Centre is little more than three portacabins – and desperately needs to be replaced. 
Our students have made the best possible use of the cramped facilities, but it’s come to the point where it’s vital we improve the existing learning environment. The demand for our approach is very high, so we need to reach out to more young people at a time when they often feel lost, confused and deeply vulnerable.
Crafts that help young people like George
Many Pennine students go on to thrive in other Camphill Communities. Take George, who now lives at the Croft. He says, ‘Going to Pennine helped with my confidence. I’d never done farming before – but I loved it. I loved feeding the chickens and cows. I loved playing football and spending time with friends. It was a nice, nice place to go. You really learn different things every day.’
Helping the next generation
We believe that the new Rural Crafts Centre will give the next generation the best possible start in life. With better facilities, offering a broader range of activities, we can help even more students to make the transition from adolescence to adulthood, and face the future with greater confidence.
Yes, I will help Pennine College this spring
