Forging futures

First, it was therapeutic horticulture. Then came the green woodworking. And now the team at YMCA Exeter are branching out into metal forging.

YMCA Exeter’s Community Project Manager, Sam Thomas is well underway with the training and is looking forward to taking on his first set of YMCA Exeter cohorts in April.

“It’s wonderful to make your own tools,” explains Sam. “I’m looking forward to passing on this teaching and showing YMCA Exeter residents how to make whittling tools, or toasting prongs.

“Adding metal work to our list of opportunities for young people opens up a whole range of new experiences. It could inspire them to take on a welding or farrier apprenticeship.”

A big thanks to the Southwest YMCA Trust Fund that gave us the chance to purchase a mobile forge and cover the staff training in basic forging. We look forward to hearing the distinct clanging sound ringing out as young people learn how to make basic metal tools to use in our green woodworking workshops.