Delivering high quality training in heritage craft skills to young people living with neurological divergency.
Creating a new generation of master artisans supported, valued and thriving in their communities.
Sammy’s Foundation
Our structured training courses teach endangered heritage craft skills including; traditional upholstery, French polishing, passmenterie, canework, wood-carving and turning, cord-spinning and a range of valuable artisan skills.
Sammy’s Foundation is designed to provide young people with the support they need to live meaningful, connected lives. It will help uncover hidden talents, give them a sense of purpose and protect their right to hopes, dreams and a future within their communities.
These practical skills will lead to meaningful occupation, recognition, and opportunity within the interiors world.
Our vision
A new generation of master artisans supported,
valued and thriving in their communities.
About the Foundation
Sammy’s Foundation is dedicated to teaching skilled, technical crafts to driven young adults with complex neurological conditions, giving them valuable careers and providing the interior design sector and related markets with a wider choice of artisanal craft products and specialist bespoke craft services. And moreover, they will have a prominent role in safeguarding valuable heritage crafts, such as wood carving and passementerie as well as very rare specialties, many of which are at risk of extinction.
Impact
The charity has already undertaken some very successful pilot projects, which proves not only the demand, but the impact that can be created. Working with an ex-Claridges French Polisher, Kyle (who attends a school for young people with severe and complex needs) experienced a new craft, demonstrated significant concentration and developed his social skills. It was such a positive experience that Kyle wants to continue French polishing training with Sammy’s Foundation.
Lucia who attends the same school discovered a talent for the endangered craft of passementerie tuft-making and produced all the tufts for one of our auction pieces.
Lily, 21 who struggled to find work due to her autistic neurodivergence, found confidence through uncovering a natural skill at technical weaving, She created 2 metres of picot braid for another auction piece.
Emma uncovered a gift for using her hands, swifty mastering both canework and upholstery hammer skills and now a bright future beckons when other doors were shutting. The other young participants enjoyed exploring the range of crafts on offer and were eager to come back to learn more!
Support Sammy’s Foundation
Please help us to fund the important work of the charity. Visit our fundraising page to donate.