Heritage Building Workshops | Sunday School Stories

14 October 2024

Want to build you DIY skills or understand the craft of renovation? Love sustainability and heritage sites? Interested in the construction, maintenance, or conservation industries? We provide the tools and professional training to learn new or hone skills for your own renovations and boost creativity and sustainability.

Fullers Builders are hard at work on crucial repairs and exciting renovations to our Sunday School Hall to bring this space to its full potential. Joining with Union Chapel's Sunday School Stories Project, they are also offering the opportunity to share their craft with you for free.

Email your interest to attend - details below.

Where? When? How?

Each workshop is 9am - 3pm, for people aged 18+, in Union Chapel's Sunday School Hall in Islington. Entrance is round the back of Union Chapel, Compton Avenue, N1 2XD.

Choose your taster workshop + application deadlines:

TUE 10 DEC Roofing | Apply by 29 November

Workshop Focus – Intro to traditional roofing, its component parts, how it works and how finishes deteriorate with age. How to construct a roof to offer reliable service, with a choice of finishes, how to maintain a roof for optimum long term performance:

• What types of roof are you likely to encounter?
• Pros and cons of each roof type?
• How to maximise the thermal performance of a variety of roof structures.
• Typical problems with roof finishes.

TUE 14 JAN Roofing | Apply by 6 January

Workshop Info coming soon.

TUE 12 NOV Carpentry | Fully Booked

Workshop Focus – The box sash window, its component parts, how it works and how it can be serviced, dismantled or repaired to allow it to operate efficiently

Email [email protected] to apply, stating which workshop date you would like to attend, why you'd like to take part, current skill level, accessibility needs, if you consent to photo or film of the workshops, queries you may have, and any food requirements such as allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc.

Workshop capacity is 12 people aged 18 and up. All tools, equipment and associated PPE will be provided on the day, for the day. Please wear sturdy footwear. Please avoid loose and/or delicate clothing or jewelery. You must wear clothes that you don't mind getting a bit scuffed/dirty.

Please note: there may be photos or videos to capture the workshop experience for Union Chapel's use to celebrate the event online, in the press, and to feedback to the supporters that have made these free events possible.

Sign up to our emails here for updates on future workshops:

FEB Carpentry
MAR Brickwork
APR Brickwork
MAY Plastering

Travel Info:

Tube: Highbury & Islington  |  Train: Highbury & Islington, King's Cross  |  Bus: 4, 19, 30, 43, 271

There is no private parking at Union Chapel. We encourage visitors to travel by public transport or bike. Bike racks are available at Highbury Roundabout or on Upper Street nearby.

Meet the facilitators:

Essential capital works are underway on our Sunday School Hall to bring the space back to the community with improved accessibility to a space for upskilling, amplifying the voices of the underrepresented, and breaking down barriers to culture and creativity through engaging participatory activities and emerging artists and leaders of the future.

Fullers Builders are a traditional building contractor that has been trading since 1872. Now, they are eager to share their skills and provide an introduction to conservation and repair works and boost sustainability.

Workshop participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a day with specialists sharing their skills, repair techniques and showing how to undertake common tasks that could help in your own homes.

What to expect?

• Meet the Union Chapel team for a delve into our architecture, design, and heritage.
• An introduction to the conversation industry.
• An overview of the craft skill.
• Typical tasks that a craft operative would be expected to undertake.
• Precautions and risks associated with the craft.
• Personal protective equipment that would typically be adopted.
• The tools and equipment that allow the craft operative to undertake their duties.
• Workshop.
• Discussion & Q&A’s.
• Sunday School Hal hard-hat site tour.

What you get?

• Certificate of participation
• Lunch and refreshments provided
• New skills
• Like-minded community connections

Meet like-minded people and discover the hidden treasures of Union Chapel whilst supporting our Sunday School Stories heritage-led community project.

Come be part of our Sunday School Stories adventure!