Accomplished at crochet? Experienced urban hen keeper? Inspiring spoken word artist? Talented designer?
Whatever your skill, we can guarantee you’ll make someone’s day by sharing it.
Trade School Online is an exciting experiment created by the people behind Trade School Dudley, Trade School Wolverhampton, Bearwood Trade School and Trade School Digbeth to connect, celebrate and share what people in our communities can do. We started our Bearwood Trade School not long before lockdown with sell-out free classes ranging from understanding the music business to making Kusudama flowers to crocheting and lots more. Lockdown put an abrupt, albeit temporary, end to it and now we’re back with Online Trade School!
We know from the feedback from Trade School before lockdown that participants found it a really lovely way to connect with people locally that they hadn’t met before. Trade School isn’t just about the important sharing of skills and knowledge locally, it’s about being with others, meeting new people and understanding more about our neighbours - their experiences, skills and what makes them tick. We think we can maintain and bolster some of that by starting Trade School Online, a way of experimenting with building meaningful connections during this odd and trying time.
We’re looking for Trade School teachers willing to offer a class in July/August. And it doesn’t matter if you’ve not used zoom or done anything like this before, we’ll be here to help!
Share a skill, some knowledge or a talent in a single class online, in exchange for small barter items from your learners. You’ll have support to prepare your class, hosting and tech support from a friendly Trade School Organiser, and curious people keen to learn from you and meet each other.
What will you share? If you’re interested in being a trade school teacher, please:
Fill in our class offers form at bit.ly/tradeschoolonline
Or get in touch at hello@bearwood.cc or 07832259658
- - - More info - - -
Trade School Online is an exciting experiment created by the people behind Trade School Dudley, Trade School Wolverhampton, Trade School Bearwood and Trade School Digbeth a partnership of organisations in Birmingham and the Black Country to connect, celebrate and share what people in our communities can do.
Trade School is an idea which which started in New York and was taken up by communities around the world. Learners bring a gift item specified by the teachers in exchange for the teachers sharing their knowledge and skills with others. The ethos is:
Trade School is open to all.
Knowledge can be practical skills, talents, knowledge and experience.
Anyone can teach, anyone can learn.
No teaching experience is required.
Everyone is welcome to attend classes.
No money exchanges hands.
Teachers provide a list of lovely barter items. Learners bring or offer one thing from the list in exchange for the class.
Classes are open to everyone but we ask that under 16s bring an adult with them to the zoom meets!
---
Why take part in Trade School Online?
“Trade School offers the chance to ask questions, share ideas and pick the brains of a teacher who will have a lot of experience to share. It is a shared experience as a group with the advantage of learning in a group situation.
Ultimately Trade School allows you to learn a new skill and tap into the experience and knowledge of the person trading that skill, with the ability to ask questions, in a group environment where everyone is there to learn and share. It’s fluid and interactive, personal to your needs and fun at the same time.”
Rick Sanders, Trade School teacher and learner
“Trade School isn't all about about learning, it's about sharing, reciprocity, connection, kindness and community.”
Lorna Prescott, Trade School organiser, teacher and learner
“Trade School, whilst offering the opportunity to learn a new skill, is also an opportunity to meet new people, tell the story about the item brought as a barter for the session. This is where the magic happens. The conversation is as important as the skill. The person who comes to Trade School may think they are coming to learn how to make paper flowers, yet in my experience they leave with so much more.”
Coral Musgrave, Trade School organiser, teacher and learner