Doing Good With Wood

For the teams in our Community Wood Recycling workshops, working with the wood we save is a hugely satisfying but brings its own demands. Unlike the uniformity of freshly milled timber, every piece of salvaged wood has a story, a character, and often a few surprises. This unpredictability is what makes what we do so satisfying and even life-changing.

One of our experienced wood recyclers sums it up perfectly:

“You don’t have the same standardisation as bought wood – what you get is different every time. When you start at project, you’re looking at the individual pieces of timber that have been collected from our clients and thinking about how you can work with them to bring your vision to life. If you’re asked to make something, you won’t necessarily be able to make it identical to what’s been done before, you have to do it differently.”

This variety means every project is unique, demanding creativity and flexibility. Reclaimed wood won’t produce an endless number of identical units. But that’s what makes working with reclaimed wood special; it’s not about mass production, it’s about craft skills, sustainability, and transformation. And our teams have lots of creative ways of getting over the hurdles.

Del Acton, Enterprise Manager of Just Wood Leicestershire explains:

“The team take pride in putting together pieces of wood from different collections with a variety of colours and widths to make the top of a picnic table. We always make sure that it looks balanced and we hope that our customers enjoy the reminder that each piece of wood has a history.”

The sheer range of materials coming through our doors is extraordinary. Patrick, workshop manager at Brighton and Hove Wood Recycling Project explains:

“We might worry that we won’t find what we need for a particular project, only for the perfect pieces to arrive unexpectedly. For example, we were recently asked to make checkout dividers for our local health food shop Infinity Foods. Who would have guessed that we’d find exactly what we needed in a collection from Glyndebourne Opera House? It’s amazing to think that the staging for world-leading opera would have a new life among the carrots and quinoa at the tills.”

“We’ve also salvaged timber from Brighton Palace Pier’s old decking. At first glance, it was in a shocking state – rotten in places, battered by the elements. But after careful drying, cleaning, waxing, and cutting away the damaged sections, it became something beautiful and deeply meaningful to those who took a piece home.

“And that’s part of the emotional connection. I say that wood is like us – some of us have scars, some of us have breaks but if you are comfortable how you wear them, you will look beautiful.”

Community Wood Recycling founder Richard Mehmed adds:

“Beyond just creating furniture or fixtures, reclaimed wood helps start conversations. Customers see the beauty in something that might have otherwise been discarded, and they begin to embrace a different way of thinking – one that values reuse, sustainability, and craftsmanship over convenience and uniformity.”

Patrick has the final word:

“For those of us who work with reclaimed wood every day, it’s more than just a material – it’s a philosophy, a challenge, and a joy. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Learn more about this topic at:

• Using Reclaimed Wood: Potential Limitations | TimberCraft Pro
• 14 Easy Beginner Woodworking Projects | Fix This Build That

Wood@Aldingbourne is more than just a wood recycling project. It’s part of a bigger vision to create opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism. Based near Chichester, The Aldingbourne Trust supports over 1,500 people to live independent and fulfilling lives and hosts a much-loved countryside centre for the local community.

The Aldingbourne Trust was founded in 1978 by three parents who wanted a better future for their learning-disabled children after they left education. At a time when large, isolated institutions still existed, they envisioned something different; a place where people could learn, work, and be part of the community rather than being shut away or left at home and unable to make their way in the world in the same way as their non-disabled peers.

Today, the Trust provides a wide range of services such as supported living, outreach programmes, and employment opportunities through more than a dozen social enterprises. These enterprises, including Wood@Aldingbourne, combine business with social impact, and give people supported by the trust real-world experience in safe and nurturing environments.

Wood@Aldingbourne is based at the Country Centre, a unique destination where family fun creates social impact. By visiting, people can support the charity while enjoying a day out in a beautiful setting. Attractions include:

• Woodland walks and an open farm with a chance to meet friendly animals and explore nature.
• Outdoor play areas with handmade wooden play equipment, a castle slide, and a giant chair.
• Ride-on Tractors – race around the wooden track with shady seating for parents.
• Soft play and creative play areas, a hedge maze, tractor rides, and mini-golf.
• Café & Gift Shop – enjoy home-cooked food and browse unique, handcrafted items made from reclaimed materials.

The Country Centre has also recently launched Cherry Tree Village – an innovative, interactive play village for children, featuring a plant nursery, a farm shop, an animal barn, a construction site office, and more. As well as getting a chance to stretch their imaginations, this type of play is a great way for young children to build an interest in real-life careers and the world around them, experimenting with different ways of seeing and interacting, while giving parents insights into their children’s passions and motivation.

Pictured: In preparation for the Country Centre’s  February half-term events, a team of people supported by the trust along with staff and volunteers from the Wood Department, created an incredible variety of animals and safari games, all made from waste timber from our collection clients. From ‘Feed the Croc’ safari games to the ALD1NBRN3 Jeep, their hard work brought the adventure to life.

Visitors to Aldingbourne Country Centre can explore the beauty of reclaimed wood firsthand, whether by purchasing timber and crafted products at Wood@Aldingbourne or simply enjoying the reclaimed materials used throughout the centre. And behind the scenes, heating and hot water for the site is provided by biomass boilers, powered by lower quality waste wood. One of the areas to benefit from this is the Quarry Building, home to a café and a sustainable venue for meetings and celebrations which has created even more opportunities.

If you’re in the area and looking for a family-friendly day out, why not visit the Country Centre? You can also book the conference centre for meetings and events, knowing that your booking helps to change lives for the better.