Ill Health need to retrain, Furniture Restoration Worcester

[hunggaur]

Hi folks

i have been unable to work for the last 5 years due to ill health and have now been told i can never work full time again or return my previous role.

as a result i need to look to retrain in a new career,

Ideally i would like to retrain long term to become a furniture restorer as i have undertaken woodworking and furniture making for many years.

My question is does anyone know of any course in worcestershire or anywhere i could work on an unpaid basis for a couple of days per week to get the skills needed to support my long term future

any advice, guidance or support would be welcomed

kind regards

jon

 

[Pete W]

My question is does anyone know of any course in worcestershire

Jon, can't give you a personal recommendation, but a quick rummage around the Internet turned up a couple of leads:
South Worcestershire College
Chris Arnold in Ross on Wye

There are others further afield, but perhaps you could combine them with a holiday. For example, West Dean College does one:
https://www.westdean.org.uk/CollegeChan ... king.aspx#

 

[hunggaur]

many thanks for the Pete will look into it

kind regards

jon

 

[JWF]

Jon

I did a four week course with Chris Arnold about 6 years ago and found it a very worthwhile four weeks. He has, at most, 3 students and will cover all that you need to know to get you started. I have on occasions been stuck on a particular aspect of restoration and a quick 'phone call to him has put me on the right track.

Hope you find this useful
John

 

[tim burr]

there's a french polisher in Pershore that may be worth contacting as I believe he/they do resto work. They may be able to guide you in the right direction or may even have a position available.

I'll ask around at work tomorrow as well and see if anyone else has any suggestions

 

[hunggaur]

many many thanks Tim and suggestions would be welcomed.

Cheers JWF will look in more depth in to Chris Arnold

kind regards

jon

 

[wobblycogs]

I did a one week course with Chris last year (but learning basic cabinet making skills rather than restoration). He's a nice chap and I learnt a lot from him. While I was there he had one other student who mostly worked in the finishing shed. I imagine he would be happy with you popping along and talking to him about your future career but I'm not sure he would take you on for free.

One thing I will say though is that I doubt very much that there is a lot of money to be made doing furniture restoration. I'm pretty sure the bulk of the money Chris makes is from his students.

 

[hunggaur]

Cheers wobblycogs

i know there is not a great deal of money in it but as long as i be in a position of not being any worse off working than claiming benefits that is all i am looking for. i will do more research about chris

once again

kind regards

jon