Inside the Workshop: Meet the Makers at Tarka Yard

Step into the Design & Media workshop at Tarka Yard and you'll find a space alive with creativity. Today it's a little quieter than usual, but the room still hums with focus; the soft scratch of a pencil sketching patterns, the gentle tap of a brush against a pot of paint, the low buzz of conversation drifting between tables. It's the kind of atmosphere where you can feel the ideas taking shape.

But the real magic here comes from the makers themselves. For many, this is more than simply a place to paint or to design. It's a place to grow in confidence, to explore skills they didn't even know they had, and to find pride in producing something meaningful. And the work on the tables tells you as much about the people as it does about the craft...

The Makers

In the centre of the room, Lois is adding delicate painted detail to a wooden planter box. This planter will be used to help children learn how to grow and care for plants. That sense of purpose is what Lois enjoys most about her work.

"I like that I get to use my creative side here, but also that the work I'm doing is for a good cause," Lois explained. "The planter will help kids learn, and it's also something that can bring money in for the company. That feels good to be a part of."

Lois also helps out with the animals at Tarka Yard, which she enjoys for the practical skills, but she says being able to paint and design taps into a different side of her. Since beginning work at Tarka Yard, she's noticed her confidence grow in ways she didn't expect.

"It's easy to doubt yourself until you get back into doing something," she said. "Then you realise that, actually, you're quite good at it."

More than just skills, Lois has found a community here.

"It feels more like a family than a workplace," she told us. "There's just the right balance: enough responsibility to motivate you, but it's staggered so it feels manageable. And if I'm struggling, people understand. That means a lot."

At another table, Lucille is carefully decorating a picture frame, sketching patterns and painting flourishes that bring the design to life. With every brushstroke, she adds her own touch, showing the patience and creativity that shine in this space.

The Creative Process

Every creation that leaves the workshop begins as a simple idea. A bare wooden box, an empty frame, a blank canvas. From there, Tarka Yard's talented artists decide how they want to shape it. Some sketch out patterns before they start, others head straight in with paint or tools in hand. Step by step, the raw material transforms into something unique.

Along the way, skills are nurtured and refined. Measuring, sketching, painting, colour mixing... Even the careful patience it takes to add detail. Each task builds confidence as well as ability. For many, these are skills they never thought they'd master, until they tried.

But this process isn't something anyone goes through alone. There is always encouragement and support within the workshop. Artists share ideas across tables, offer each other advice, or simply chat while they work. Support workers are always present too, helping when things get tricky and celebrating every achievement. It is truly a team effort, and the end result is a collection of creations that carry not only craft, but also community.

Why It Matters

This work is about creating opportunities as much as it is about creating beautiful items. At DES, our mission is to empower abilities and celebrate diversity, and spaces like this are at the heart of that. For every brushstroke, there's a moment of learning, a step in confidence, and a chance to shine.

The skills gained here are practical. From painting and design, to patience, focus, and teamwork... But the benefits go even deeper. Design & Media at Tarka Yard offers structure, purpose, and wellbeing. It gives people a reason to feel proud of what they've achieved, and to know that their contribution is valued.

And when these creations go on to be sold, that story continues. Each planter, frame, or piece of art carries with it the talent and dedication of the maker. Buying one of these items doesn't just mean taking home something unique. You're also supporting the people who made it, and helping to sustain the inclusive opportunities that DES and Tarka Yard provide.

Celebrating Creativity Together

The makers at Tarka Yard remind us all every day that creativity flourishes when people are given the chance to grow. Their work is filled with effort, imagination, and pride, and each finished piece is proof of what's possible with the right support.

If you'd like to be part of the journey, visit the Tarka Yard website to see their creations, or follow along with us on Facebook or Instagram, where we'll keep sharing the stories behind the work.