Nathan Hopkins
Founder, Director

Nathan Hopkins has played a key role in developing woodshed workshop over the last four years. He is an experienced and skilled woodworker, with vast experience of delivering practical people-based programmes particularly with young people and the long term unemployed. Nathan is trained in Arboriculture and woodwork, mental health first aid and train the trainer. Nathan has worked in the North East for NACRO, CEED and Groundwork over the last 10 years. He has lived experience that helps him understand and motivates him to support young people and adults with challenges. He has a vision for Woodshed Workshop CIC and the determination and resilience to develop a great project supporting the community of Sacriston the surrounding villages and County Durham.


Gordon Gray
Supervisor, Joiner

Workshop supervisor at Woodshed Workshop. He first joined the woodshed on a placement from the Jobcentre Plus. He enjoyed his 13 weeks there he came back as a volunteer. He then become assistant supervisor and is now an experienced workshop supervisor and committed member of the team.

Faye Buxton
Business Support

Faye has a wide range of administration and business support experience which she uses to support the running of Woodshed Workshop on a daily basis. Some of her main tasks are to liaison with funders, business planning, funding applications and outcome reporting, staff support, planning and timetabling, interfacing with the board of directors and managing the trading arm of Woodshed.


Beth Young
Creative Supervisor

Beth joined the Woodshed team with the aim of expanding the range of skills, creative approaches and techniques that are taught within sessions. She has an extensive background in the creative sector and is passionate about helping Nathan and the rest of the team to provide a community focused project that provides great outcomes for everybody.

Alison Russell
Education Coordinator

Alison joined the Woodshed team with the aim of expanding and improving our education provision. She has an extensive background in the education sector providing education programmes for young people and adults in a range of settings. Alison is passionate about the importance of learning and education in changing lives and opportunities.