ROCKAWAY PARK'S WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Here at Rockaway Park, we’re committed to engaging with the local community and beyond.
With a wealth of talented craftspeople, artists, makers, musicians and performers - all keen to share their skills and experience in a supportive and inspirational environment - our series of workshops and courses are open to everyone and kept as low in price as we can make them.
For a taster of past workshops, see the short video below.
If you'd like to get in touch to express an interest in past workshops being run again, or you'd like to collaborate with us, or you'd like more details about our workshop and course experiences, please visit our Workshop Archive page by clicking below
Alternatively, if you'd like to support Rockaway to enable us to provide more low-cost and free workshops and courses, you can become a Patreon. With a small monthly donation, you can help us continue our valuable work supporting the community and providing valuable skills-based sessions to those who need them. For all the info on how you can become a Rockaway Patreon, please click on the image below.
You will also be helping spread the crucial message that actively supporting each other in these testing times is a way to initiate positive change.
Thank you!
CURRENT WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Stained-Glass Workshop
Saturday 26th October
FULLY BOOKED!
The wonderful Ben Ford is back with another of his amazing stained-glass workshops in October. Using reclaimed glass wherever possible, Ben uses traditional methods, combined with modern design software.
On this 1-day workshop for absolute beginners, participants will learn:
- How to design and make a template (cartoon.)
- How to cut glass.
- How to stretch, cut and solder lead with a vegan flux.
- How to construct a simple stained-glass panel using lead came.
All participants go home with a small leaded stained-glass panel chosen from pre-designed options, using their own choice of glass.
Cost for this workshop is £30 for unwaged/benefits or £50 for employed, and all materials and kit are provided.
Places are very limited, so please click below to book
Electrics Workshop
Friday 8th & Saturday 9th November
An Introduction to Electrics for Shows & Events
Old school technician Stefan Hintsches is offering 2 more dates of this popular workshop in November on a Friday and Saturday.
Do you want to run cables like a pro, get to know all types of plugs and sockets, and work out how much power you need? Learn to calculate your consumption (and costs) and get an insight into the fascinating world of outdoor electrics.
This workshop is for everybody who uses electricity as part of their work and wants to get a better understanding of it - no previous experience required.
Originally designed for crew members of a travelling circus, this workshop bridges the gap between consumers and providers of electricity, to enable people from all different backgrounds to:
- Understand basic electrical terminology.
- Make calculations for power consumption.
- Identify commonly used connectors and understand their qualities and limitations.
- Spot frequently occurring faults on them.
- Identify circuit breakers and understand their function.
- Understand the correct rigging and installation of cables and connectors.
- Use basic diagnostic tools.
- Work safely around electricity.
"The workshop is great for absolute beginners, as well as those with a level of site electric knowledge. I really enjoyed the structure of the course and the use of analogies to break down difficult subject material."
Sorelle, Production Manager, Revel Puck Circus
Cost for this 1-day workshop is £40 for unwaged/benefits and £60 for employed. If you'd like to take part, simply click on the image below to book.
(NB: The workshop on Friday 8th November is now FULLY BOOKED!)
Practical Approaches to Sustainable Gardening Workshop
Sunday 10th November, 10am - 4pm
Encouraging soil care, plant care and biodiversity in a changing climate!
We're excited to offer this 1-day gardening workshop with Rockaway's wonderful Head Gardener, Penny Austin. Penny has a degree in Social Psychology, a level 5 DET teaching qualification, and is a fully qualified and experienced horticulturalist.
For over 25 years she’s worked as a head gardener, designer, consultant and lecturer within the industry. Her work has taken her all over the country and abroad, including France and Sicily. Penny also currently lectures for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) delivering professional qualification courses to budding horticulturalists.
Designed for adults of all ages and abilities, this 1-day workshop is a mix of practical activities, theory and observation. Based in the Rockaway classroom and Community Forest Garden, Penny will be offering practical advice and guidance on the following:
- Introduction to basic soil science, different soil types and the role of different organisms in the soil that fit into the food web.
- Improving soil structure, composting and mulching to combat climate change and provide a vibrant healthy soil environment.
- Cultural practices, such as digging/not digging, mulching, and how they affect soil health and soil biodiversity, which in turn affects plant health.
- The role of water for plant and soil health, plus how water in the garden encourages biodiversity.
- Introduction to plant science and how the climate affects our gardening.
- Exploring plants and planting styles that are sustainable and can support and encourage biodiversity.
- Creating habitats and adapting gardening practice to support a healthy, resilient garden environment
- Maintaining garden sustainably and reducing our carbon footprint.
Cost for this workshop is £45 for unwaged/benefits or £65 for employed, and includes a delicious home-made vegan Sunday roast. Places are limited, so if you'd like to take part, please click on the image below.
(NB: Remember that if you'd like to do some gardening, you can also become a Rockaway Community Forest Garden volunteer. Active garden volunteers have a chance to take part in Penny's gardening workshops and courses for free! To get in touch with us and sign up, just click below)
ONLINE COURSES
Beginners Yoga
Do you want to get into yoga but don't know where to start? Then Maddie's course is for you! Designed to help beginners find confidence with breath work and yoga poses, Maddie invites you to dip into some amazing meditation practices.
This six-part course will allow you to explore lots of areas of yoga, encouraging you to get into a regular practice that works for you. With easy to follow videos and a supporting worksheet with additional information, the course covers the following:
Session 1: Breath & Basics
An introduction to the 3 key elements of yoga - Breath, Movement, Chill.
Session 2: Poses & Peacefinding
An exploration of classic poses that can be sewn together to eventually create a flow.
Session 3: Serene Stillness
Finding stillness in body and mind.
Session 4: Mindful Movement
An introduction to flow and the sun salutation.
Session 5: Flowing Freely
Going with the flow and listening to what your body is asking for.
Session 6: Yoga For When You're Tired
Slowing down and gentle stretches.
Cost for all six sessions is £50.
To sign up and get started on your yoga practice, just click below:
Our Workshop & Course Programme in 2024
We've been lucky enough to work with some fantastic practitioners delivering workshops and delighted by the response to everything we've offered with some amazing feedback from participants. Thanks to each and every one of you for taking part.
In 2024, we'd like to continue offering creative practitioners space for hire to deliver their workshops and courses at Rockaway in the classroom, terrace, chapel, main shed, or yard, with electricity and heating provided, if needed. PLUS, we'll promote your workshop or course through our newsletter, website and social media platforms, which means it will reach a following of over 32,000 people.
It will be like any other venue hire to deliver a workshop or course, except our Michelle will happily work with you on promotional materials, such as images, info and videos (if you have them) to help with recruitment.
If you're interested in running a workshop or course at Rockaway with this approach, then please get in touch below for a chat. We look forward to hearing from you!
ROCKAWAY PARK
"Would those who say it can't be done, please stand clear of those doing it"