BY HELEN MILLER

LEADING British design duo RubinoWilson, who work out of Grandey’s Place Heritage & Craft Centre in Green Tye, Much Hadham, are setting up a mentoring scheme for 16 to 25-year-olds aimed at giving young people in Harlow and surrounding areas a chance to become the creatives of the future.

Daniela Rubino and Lauren Wilson are makers and artists who specialise in custom-made steel and concrete-based furniture and designer household goods. They also provide bespoke metal and mould making services for industry and sculpture. Their career highlights include a recent fabrication commission for artist Grayson Perry, 

A new scheme, funded by Arts Council England, is called Ore Projects and will create 40 free training places for over 16s and young adults who have struggled to find training opportunities and are potentially at risk of unemployment. 

“We were very, very lucky in that we had Dads who understood what we were doing, understood where we wanted to go and they fully supported us,” says Daniela. “My Dad let me use his workshop; Lauren’s Dad still helps us now… if we hadn’t had that it would have been pretty difficult. So we’re trying to provide this support to people who don’t have it.” 

RubinoWilson’s aim is to nurture young people’s talents by offering support, providing hands-on skills, and building self-esteem. Both women believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to find a career that they enjoy, irrespective of their background, disabilities, gender or ethnicity. They particularly welcome applications from women, who are under-represented in the metal welding and mould making sectors.

Those accepted on the scheme will be given the opportunity to spend five days with RubinoWilson at their workshop in Grandey’s Place where they will learn practical skills in metalwork, mould making and casting. The lucky apprentices will also have the opportunity to work with some of the other skilled craftspeople at Grandey’s Place. 

“After the physical placement, they’ll then become part of our online network where they’ll have access to careers advice from a broader range of skilled people within the creative industries,” says Lauren. “It’s proper mentoring.” 

The plan is to continue to expand the scheme beyond the first 40 participants as funding allows. 

RubinoWilson is currently contacting local secondary schools and colleges in Harlow to identify suitable candidates for the scheme.

If your school, college or organisation is interested in the scheme or you’re a private individual who believes that you – or someone you know – may benefit, please visit www.oreprojects.com.  

To understand the broad range of RubinoWilson’s activities, please visit www.grandeysplace.co.uk/craftspeople/rubinowilson and click on the links.

Photo: Sophie Stafford