Our facilities are available to our members for independent drop-in whenever there are no other classes or projects using them. Members can see which drop-ins are available and book them at the foot of this page, or from the courses page. You can also check the calendar to see which rooms are available.
Please note that during our refurbishment, art and craft drop-ins take place at St Peter’s Church, whilst woodwork drop-ins take place at Shipley Men’s Shed. Pottery drop-ins are unavailable.
Our facilities are also available to members and non-members alike during our supported drop-in times.
Independent (members’) drop-in
Members can book places at the bottom of this page.
Our ceramics studios are available to any member with previous pottery experience. You must complete our pottery induction before you first use the facilities on your own.
Complete beginners are welcome once they’ve been on one of our beginner pottery courses. Other users are often willing to give friendly advice and support if required.
Our large modelling studio is fully equipped with two potter’s wheels and a wide variety of ceramicists tools, or you are free to bring your own tools. Adjacent is our glazing studio containing a wide range of glazing materials and mixing tools.
We have two electric kilns with 190 litre capacity each, one a top-loader and one a front-loader. Both are maintained and operated by a team of committed volunteers and we run regular firings which members can make use of (subject to space).
There are usually a variety of clay types and a wide range of glazes available. We operate a ‘weigh and pay’ scheme which covers the cost of firing and glazing your pottery, meaning that you only pay for the amount of clay you use.
Our woodwork studio is available to any members over the age of 16. You must complete our woodwork induction before you first use the facilities on your own.
The studio is fully equipped with woodworking machinery such as a circular saw, planer, bandsaw and lathe. There are numerous hand tools available and a supply of basic items such as glues and abrasives.
There is a small stock of donated and recycled wood which you are welcome to use in exchange for a donation.
Our arts and crafts studio (the Birklands Room) is available to members for sewing, painting and drawing, stained glass, printmaking, textiles, mixed crafts and more.
We have a selection of equipment available, but please let a member of staff know what you are going to use.
We also have a selection of donated and recycled materials available which you are welcome to use in exchange for a donation.
The name of the Birklands Room acknowledges our gratitude to the residents of Birklands Road in Shipley who nominated us to receive a donation from The National Grid for renovations to the room.
Supported drop-ins
A relaxed volunteer-led session for anybody with an interest in textiles and fabrics, and a basic level of knowledge or ability.
Contact: info@hivebradford.org.uk
Draw and paint in the company of other like-minded people, sharing skills and learning new things.
Contact: info@hivebradford.org.uk
A supported drop in for people looking to create or mend wooden items, a technician will be on hand to provide support. You can pick from one of the two sessions above subject to availability.
Contact: info@hivebradford.org.uk
Room Hire
We do sometimes have availability to hire some of our rooms and facilities out for creative courses and activities, however capacity is currently extremely limited.
Book drop-in places
Drop-ins are released on a weekly basis. To ensure fair availability, please limit yourself to at most two drop-in sessions per week.