Our Beliefs, Values and Principles

Our Beliefs

At Handcrafted, we operate with an inclusive ethos in the hope that all of our work can be freely available to everyone, regardless of their beliefs or any other differences. There is no expectation for individuals to engage in any faith-related activities. Our approach is founded on the following core beliefs:

We believe that everyone is created with value and purpose and that everyone has the potential to create things with value and purpose.
We aspire to share a radical vision where individuals turn their lives around and begin to contribute positively to society rather than take from others.
We believe that every person has a role to play and that there is immense value in our differences. Working together, we find that we live better lives.
Inspired by the empathetic and compassionate approach of Jesus, we aim to reach out to people in a similar manner. We believe Jesus came down to our level, lived a life like ours, and took on our struggles and pain.
We are committed to loving others unconditionally because we believe we are unconditionally loved.
Having experienced unlimited compassion and forgiveness, we seek to give everyone the opportunity for a fresh start.

Our Values

Creativity: Everyone can create something to be proud of. Wherever possible, we encourage creativity from the very first day someone comes to us. Trainees are given the opportunity to make something that is theirs to keep; they are encouraged to design their own projects and residents to personalise their living spaces. Our commitment to creativity extends throughout the ways we work, constantly seeking innovative ways to connect with others and support them.
Empowerment: Everyone can learn to take back control in their lives. We are always aiming to guide trainees and residents to greater independence. Trainees build skills and confidence through led activities. Residents are given the autonomy to feel ownership over their living spaces, transforming houses into homes. We adopt a "do with" rather than "do for" mentality, rooted in helping individuals identify and harness their strengths. We celebrate every small step towards independence, recognising and honouring the progress of our trainees and residents.
Community: We accept people just as they are and support each other. Communal experiences are at the heart of our life together, from eating together during workshop sessions to encouraging trainees to take on helping roles, whether in cooking, workshop tasks, or housing renovation, helping them to feel valued and integral to the community. We welcome every new starter just as they are, embracing their unique qualities and differences, and providing unwavering support as they integrate into the Handcrafted family.
Empathy: We will walk through challenges together, shoulder to shoulder. Empathy underpins our support framework. We recognise that people are the experts on their own lives, and we strive to connect with them on their terms, working with their strengths. In conflicts and difficult situations, we aim to understand the underlying needs rather than simply reacting to visible actions. We want to help people address the root causes of the challenges they face.

Handcrafted’s principles

Person-Centred - We believe every individual has dignity and value, along with unique needs, preferences, and aspirations. We accept everyone as they are and strive to work with them on their terms.
Trauma-Informed - Recognising that a history of trauma often means there is more beneath the surface, we aim to understand and respond to the underlying needs rather than just the visible actions.
Strengths-Based - We focus on the strengths, talents, and capabilities of each individual, acknowledging that they are the experts on their own lives.
Appropriate Risk Taking - Working with people with complex needs involves risk, but we strive for informed decision-making and harm reduction to support transformative change.
Solution-Focused - We collaborate with individuals to overcome challenges and barriers, helping them to create a positive and constructive path forward.