Our Members

At the heart of everything we do

We support adults with learning and physical disabilities in a work-based environment, where everyone can access meaningful work, new experiences and a sense of community, and they’re the driving force behind everything we do. Our members will always be the most important people in our team.

From making and packing kindling to sanding benches, packing orders and planting bulbs, our members bring energy, care and pride to every task. They work hard, learn new skills and support one another, and in return we create a safe, structured environment where members thrive, feel valued and inspire us to do more.

Meet our members
Want to join Chopsticks?
Three people wearing ear protection and gloves, smiling and showing a thumbs-up pose inside a factory or warehouse. Two of them are wearing glasses, and one person is giving a peace sign. The person on the left is wearing a black vest with a charity logo, and the person on the right is a young girl with a green hoodie. In the background, there is machinery and other workers engaged in production.

What it’s like to be a Member of the Chopsticks team?

Being part of Chopsticks isn’t just about getting a job done.

It’s about:

  • Routine

    Coming to work on set days, building habits and reliability

  • Purpose

    Taking pride in products that go out into the community

  • Friendship

    working alongside peers, and celebrating achievements

  • Confidence

    Learning by doing, and being encouraged every step of the way

  • Pride

    Showcasing the talents of each individual and inspiring others

There’s no pressure and no targets, just real work done together as a team with the right support.

We tailor tasks to each person’s strengths and preferences. That might mean using machinery, under supervision, to produce kindling; sanding and painting wooden items and upcycled furniture; packing products, or de-nailing timber ready for the kindling process.

It feels like a

second home

Two men standing in a kitchen, wearing matching teal shirts with a sunburst logo. The older man has gray hair and glasses, and the younger man has dark hair. The kitchen background includes wooden cabinets, mugs, and food containers.
Two elderly men sitting at a table in a care facility, wearing matching blue shirts with a sunburst logo. One man is frowning and wearing glasses, while the other is smiling and talking. A red mug is in the foreground.

Many of our members have been with us for years. Some attend one day a week, others come more often — but all of them are part of the Chopsticks family. Ages vary, with some members in their seventies and others in their twenties, but the friendships are never governed by age. 

Meet our members

  • Smiling elderly man with glasses and gray hair holding a cookie with frosting in a bright room.

    Cyril

    Cyril says: “I have been with Chopsticks from the beginning, in 1997. I like to keep the staff on their toes and make them laugh. I like to get on and do my job without staff helping me.”

    Home support staff say: “Chopsticks staff will contact our support team with any concerns and work alongside us to resolve any problems. They are very knowledgeable about people attending their service”

  • A young man with glasses, wearing a teal polo shirt and blue gloves, smiling and standing in industrial workspace with wooden blocks, a machine labeled 'Matrix', and stacked wooden planks in the background.

    Joshua

    Joshua says: “My favourite jobs are working on the kindlet and helping on the saw by sorting the wood when it has been cut. I like it when we go to McDonald’s sometimes for lunch. I like to work hard so I earn my wages.”

    Parents say: “Staff are extremely supportive. Josh has made improvements with his independence, skills and confidence. He loves going to Chopsticks and doing the tasks there. He also likes being part of a team”

  • A smiling man giving a thumbs-up in a community room with other people in the background.

    Gary

    Gary says: “I have been coming to Chopsticks for a long time (since 2005). I like packing sticks and showing new people how to do it. I like dancing at the Christmas party.”

    His family say: “The work and support you give to adults with additional needs is amazing to see. Everyone goes around with a smile on their face and are clearly happy to be there.”

  • A young lady wearing a pink jacket sorting timber on a bench

    Niamh

    Niamh says: “I I like to talk to people about their pets and I like talking to any visitors that come to Chopsticks. My favourite day of the week is Friday because I get to go to the sandwich van to buy my lunch. I am always happy to help out in the workshop, and I make really good bags of sticks — Tracey says they’re fantastic!”

    Parents say: “As a parent, the support I receive is excellent. Niamh tries to be more independent at home now. Niamh really enjoys her time at Chopsticks, if she’s on holiday , all she wants s for it to end so she can get back to work.”

  • Young man with glasses and headphones holding a piece of wood on his shoulder in a warehouse or lumber yard.

    Simon

    Simon says: “I just joined in 2025. I’m happy and enjoy all the jobs in the workshop. I help on the saw, the kindlet and Laura says I’m great at painting. I’m going to help Stewart in the ChopShed next.”

  • An elderly woman with gray hair sitting in a motorized wheelchair in a hardware store aisle.

    Kath

    Kath says: “I come to Chopsticks two days a week. I like to pack sticks and I like having a drink and talk with my friends at break times. I like to torment Stewart (staff) and have a laugh with him.”

    Home support staff say: “Kath enjoys her time at Chopsticks. It is good for her to socialise with her peers and gives a sense of belonging which boosts her wellbeing”

  • A woman wearing hearing protection, gloves, and a red vest is laughing and holding small pieces of wood at a woodworking station in a busy indoor setting.

    Ella

    Ella says: “ I like to go out in the van, and I also enjoy de-nailing and helping on the kindling machine. I get to paint things ready to sell to customers. “

    Parents say: “Ella is always happy and eager to go to Chopsticks. It helps her communication, social skills, fitness levels, mental agility, all areas of her life. It has widened her social circle and is more aware of work and life in general”

  • A man standing outdoors in front of a red car, with a parking lot and industrial building in the background. He is wearing glasses, a beige hoodie, and dark pants, smiling with his hands behind his back.

    James

    James says: “ I enjoy coming to Chopsticks to see my friends. My favourite jobs are gardening and stacking kindling.”

  • Man smiling and giving a thumbs-up inside a vintage auto museum with classic cars and a large window in the background.

    Josh

    Josh says: “My favourite job is working on the saw bench. I really like spending time with my friends”

    Dad says: “Chopsticks staff keep Josh motivated and provide a place for his individual growth. I absolutely cannot praise the service enough”

  • A young man painting lengths of timber with green paint

    Joel

    Joel says: “I enjoy going out in the van delivering sticks and collecting wood. In the summer I go gardening; my favourite job is weeding”

    Dad says: “Joel is more confident and outgoing since attending Chopsticks. Staff are all very helpful and approachable”

  • An older man, wearing black trousers and a black jacket mowing grass

    Anthony

    Anthony says: “I like doing firewood, grass cutting and sanding. I really like going out in the van with staff and my friends. I like riding a bike at Chopsticks”

  • A young man in a wheelchair pressing a button on an industrial saw

    Chris

    Chris indicates: “Chris enjoys packing sticks but loves the machines. In the afternoon Chris enjoys sweeping and even brings his own brush!

    Parents says: “When Christopher is in good health his legs move to the door of the car to get out as soon as we pull up before the door is open. A great sign that he enjoys Chopsticks”

  • Young man in a garden smiling

    Matthew

    Matthew says: ”I like everything at Chopsticks.. especially getting paid”

    Family say: “Matthew has thrived in the happy and friendly atmosphere at Chopsticks. It is an excellent organisation, providing an extremely safe and caring environment, supervised by friendly and supportive staff”

  • man wearing a blue hoodie holding pile of wood

    Dan

    Dan says: “ My favourite job is running the big saw bench but I like working in ChopShed too. I just like to help everyone.”

    Home support staff say: “Chopsticks is very beneficial to Daniel and has a positive impact on his behaviour and outlook.”

  • Young man de-nailing wood

    Edward

    Edward says: “I like to see my girlfriend and other friends at Chopsticks. I like to see all the staff too. My favourite job is bagging up the kindling.”

  • Man sanding furniture with an electric sander

    Lewis

    Lewis says: “I like packing kindling and helping bag up the sticks for my friends at Chopsticks. I also like going out grass cutting in summer. I spend some of my time working in ChopShed sanding and building things from wood. I like this because I learn new things”

  • Happy lady being supported by staff to put her gloves on stood in front of a pile of kindling

    Rachael

    Rachael tells us: Rachael enjoys packing kindling with her friends. She brightens up everyone’s day with her lovely smile.

    Parents say: “ Coming to Chopsticks gives Rachael a purpose for getting up in the morning. Her social interaction is much better, she used to be very shy when meeting new people but now she is more outgoing, she is also more independent”

  • Man wearing a red t-shirt, sat on a pile of plastic bags full of kindling

    Anthony

    Anthony says: “I like coming to Chopsticks and packing sticks with my friends. I like having a joke with staff .

  • Man wearing woolly hat with kindling poking out the top

    Barry

    Barry indicates : Barry’s favourite job is sweeping the workshop. He also loves spending tea breaks looking at his favourite books.

    Carers say: “Barry is very happy and enjoys the social aspect of being in a group”

  • Man in a green sweatshirt, smiling, standing next to a fire engine

    Charles

    Charles says: “I like to work with my friends at Chopsticks. Laura looks after me, I like her best. I like all the staff”

    Support staff says: “Charles talks a lot about Chopsticks and is happy when talking. Charles says he has new friends and misses them when he isn’t there”

  • Man using fire hose ,helped by fireman at a fun day

    Carl

    Carl tells us: “I like packing sticks and making sure all the bags are lined up neatly”

    Parents say: “Carl is always happy to go to work and happy when he comes home.. He enjoys the happy, friendly atmosphere and the varied things he can do”

  • Man sorting timber offcuts in a metal cage

    Robert

    Robert says: “I like to go to Chopsticks to see my mates. My favourite thing to do is gardening “

  • Young man in a blue sweatshirt smiling whilst working in a workshop packing kindling

    Kieran

    Kieran says: “ I enjoy coming to Chopsticks, everyone is very friendly”

    Parents say: “Kieran feels well supported and has settled well. The people he works with are helpful and caring.”

  • Man on green sweatshirt painting blocks of wood

    Andrew

    Andrew tells us: Andrew enjoys spending time working in the workshop alongside his friends. He loves having a joke with staff at tea break.

    Support staff say: “Very beneficial for Andrew; he looks forward to going to Chopsticks and is always up and ready, waiting for his taxi”

  • Young lady with friends smiling

    Isla

    Isla tells us: “I like it when I go to Chopsticks with my friends who I share my house with. I have lots of other friends there too.”

  • Young man sat in a van wearing a blue safety hat and a green jacket

    Ryan

    Ryan says: “My favourite job is going out in the van with staff. I like helping on the kindling machine. I like seeing all my friends and shaking their hand”

  • Man wearing a green t-shirt, collecting wood on the end of a saw bench

    John

    John says: “I like working on the big saw bench, going out in the van and working on the kindling machines. There are lots of jobs I like to do at Chopsticks”

  • Young man using drill driver to screw a bracket to the wall

    Dominic

    Dominic says: “My favourite jobs when I go to work at Chopsticks are de-nailing and working with Stewart building things in ChopShed. I like seeing my friend Gary”

    Parents say: “Chopsticks have supported Dom by giving him the chance to work in a supported work environment and feeling valued with what he does. He always comes home happy and always looks forward to going to work”

  • man with a grey/black hoodie, holding a rake

    Tom

    Tom says: “ I like packing kindling, and de-nailing. I’m getting better at bagging the sticks when they’re packed. I also like gardening through the summer”

  • Man in a green t-shirt painting timber

    Miles

    Miles says: “I enjoy bagging up the kindling and helping on the machines. I enjoy helping staff with lots of jobs, including delivering sticks to our customers”

  • A man in a fluorescent coat outside in the snow with his thumbs up

    David

    David says: “ I like to work outside, gardening and making woodchip for the boiler. I am the members representative on the Chopsticks committee, which I enjoy. I also really like working on the machines”

    His support say: “David is always happy about going to work at Chopsticks and tells us about his day when he returns home”

  • A man in a fluorescent jacket working on a kindling machine

    Archie

    Archie says: “ I’m new to Chopsticks but I’m really enjoying it and am making lots of new friends”

  • Young lady in a green sweatshirt sanding a piece of wood

    Ellen

    Ellen says: “I like working with Stewart in ChopShed sanding, painting and building things out of wood”

Three smiling men sitting and standing in a room with certificates on the wall, one in a wheelchair, all wearing black caps, two in dark jackets and one in a blue polo shirt.

Want to Join Chopsticks?

We welcome new members aged 18+ with a learning disability, who are looking for a structured, supportive place to grow skills and build confidence. Most members are referred by families or social workers and we’re always happy to arrange a visit. We are happy to give a tour of the opportunities on offer to parents, carer’s social workers and, obviously, potential new members. We can arrange a taster day so you can experience what it’s like to be part of the team.

To find out more or enquire about joining, please get in touch.