Taurus is a social enterprise and
also a training and trading centre for the Camphill Village Trust.
Taurus Crafts aims to be a successful community enterprise. We wish to integrate people whose needs are not well met through mainstream education and training. Taurus Crafts offers work experience and skills training to enable confidence building and greater independence.
Together we want to make a
contribution to the economic,
social and cultural fabric of the Forest of Dean.
Taurus Crafts, based on a thriving art and craft visitor centre at Lydney, Gloucestershire, creates new and exciting opportunities for people with learning and physical disabilities and mental health problems through work, work experience and vocational training, including gaining recognised qualifications. It develops individuals’ confidence and promotes greater self-reliance and integration into the wider community.
Both day and residential placements are available with accommodation in Lydney in an extended-family environment or supported-living apartments.
Like all Camphill initiatives, Taurus isn’t simply a place for work. It provides an environment in which everyone is valued, and is an integral part of the wider community with links to individuals, groups and organisations locally, nationally and in other parts of the world.
Training and work opportunities
These are available in all Taurus activities so those with special needs may interact with the public.
The restaurant specialises in freshly prepared food using mainly organic ingredients. In addition to morning coffee, lunches, afternoon tea and evening meals at certain times, the restaurant is available for private functions.
Work experience and training include food preparation and cooking, serving at the counter and tables, and keeping the restaurant environment clean and tidy.
The pottery produces high quality hand-thrown and moulded stoneware for domestic and decorative use. Much of the ware features Taurus’s own special blue glaze and is sold in the gift shop, at other Camphill centres and through Camphill Products to customers in Britain and abroad, as well as being used in the Taurus restaurant.
Training and work experience are provided in all aspects of pottery work.
The craft gift shop sells a wide selection of quality gift and craft items from the Taurus pottery, other Camphill Communities, from craft workers in the Forest of Dean and further afield, including overseas. Work experience and training under an experienced retail manager covers all aspects of retailing, stock handling and serving the public.
The organic food and wine shop sells vegetables grown to organic standards in our market garden and a wide range of organic produce, environmentally-friendly household products and the widest ranges of organic wines in the area. Again, training and work experience are available in all aspects of the business.
The organic market garden grows a wide range of vegetables, fruit and flowers in its 4 acres. It is worked according to biodynamic principles, caring for the soil and the environment to grow wholesome produce for the Taurus restaurant and available from our shop. Training and work experience covers all aspects of horticulture. The calm of the garden and the gentle rhythm of the work are especially therapeutic for those with mental health problems.
Local craftspeople operate from several workshops in the old farm yard at the Centre, making and selling quality craft items. In some cases it can be arranged for the craftsperson to provide training and work experience opportunities.
The artist-in-residence programme, jointly funded by the South West Arts Rural Development Agency, brings artists, skilled in a range of disciplines, to the Centre to involve those with special needs and the visiting public in the creation of original pieces of art and to lead courses and masterclasses’.
Residential opportunities
Residential accommodation consists of supported living in two extended-family households with facilities for five special needs residents, and four flats and two town houses for those with greater independence. All the accommodation is sited near to Lydney town centre, within walking distance of shops and other local facilities as well as the Taurus Crafts Centre. Public transport is readily available to the city of Gloucester, 20 miles away.
Social and cultural life
The Taurus Crafts Centre is firmly established as a valued part of the local community and is the cultural focus for those who run it, the employed staff, trainees, customers and friends.
Numerous events throughout the year are aimed at involving the local community and visitors in a wide range of activities, from a Christmas tree decorating competition for schools to cookery and food demonstrations, story telling, readings and musical events. Taurus plays an important role each year in the Forest of Dean Open Studios’ programme, as a starting point for visits to local art and craft workshops and hosting the closing event, usually accompanied by a dramatic fire sculpture.
Residents are also involved in many other social activities taking place in Lydney and the surrounding Forest of Dean area, and there are close links with the Camphill Grange and Oaklands Park Communities at nearby Newnham-on-Severn.
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