Friends of STEC

23/09/2026

18/09/2026

Nant Mill Waterfalls Wellbeing Walk

As part of our commitment to supporting positive mental health and wellbeing, our group of wellbeing learners enjoyed a guided walk through the beautiful Nant Mill Waterfalls area. Surrounded by woodland, flowing water, and natural wildlife, participants were encouraged to slow down, connect with nature, and take time away from the pressures of everyday life.

Walking in natural environments has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and promote both physical and emotional wellbeing. The walk provided an opportunity for learners to enjoy gentle exercise, engage in meaningful conversation, build social connections, and practise mindfulness by appreciating the sights and sounds of the natural landscape.

The visit to Nant Mill Waterfalls encouraged participants to explore the benefits of being active outdoors while fostering a sense of community, confidence, and personal wellbeing. Events such as these help demonstrate how accessible outdoor activities can contribute to healthier, happier lifestyles and support overall wellbeing. The walk concluded with a visit to "Winnies Cafe" for refreshments at the Local Community Centre. A great example of Communites supporting Communities.

Supported by Go Jauntly's This City Moves programme. Funded by the UK Government, Active Travel England and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

14/08/2026

The well planned Finance and Debt Advice Day at STEC last Friday was very well attended by Partner Agencies and people seeking advice and support. More Finance and Debt Advice Day's are planned for the future. Remember Citizens Advice Services are available Every Wednesday here at STEC From 09:30am - 200pm

28/07/2026

Pyrography Course week 10.

A huge well done and congratulations to everyone on completing our 10-week Pyrography course!

You have all produced some fantastic work throughout the course, and both the Boardfolios and Jewellery Boxes look absolutely great. It’s been incredible to see your techniques, confidence, and creativity grow each week.

Thank you all for your commitment, enthusiasm, and support for one another. You should be extremely proud of what you’ve created!

23/07/2026

As we come to the end of our very successful Well-Being Passport pilot course!

A huge thank-you to all the wonderful learners who joined us and helped shape the future of this program. I’m really looking forward to our September meeting, where you’ll help STEC map out the next Well-Being Passport learner journey and destinations!

Thank you all so much for the lovely comments, thoughtful card, and generous gift—it truly means a lot to me.

17/07/2026

Congratulations to all the STEC and Belle Vale ESOL learners upon finishing their class.

15/07/2026

Our Well-Being Passport left us Buzzing today...

A big heartfelt thank you to PSS, and especially to the fantastic Bee Guardians – Mark, Rob, Ken and Shannon.

Thank you all for sharing your passion, enthusiasm, and extensive knowledge with us during what was a truly enjoyable, engaging, and informative Beekeeping Experience. Your dedication to educating others about the fascinating world of bees was evident throughout the day, and your willingness to answer questions and share your expertise made the experience both memorable and inspiring.

We gained a real appreciation for the vital role that bees play in our environment, as well as the care, commitment, and skill involved in beekeeping. It was clear how much you care about protecting and promoting these incredible pollinators.

Thank you once again for your warm welcome, your patience, and for making the experience so enjoyable. We left with a wealth of new knowledge, a greater understanding of beekeeping, and a renewed appreciation for the wonderful work that you do

14/07/2026

Pyrography – Week 8: "The Boardfolio"

A huge well done to everyone for reaching Week 8 of our Pyrography course and completing your very own Boardfolio project!

This week's session brought together all of the skills, techniques, and creativity that you have developed throughout the course. Each learner designed and created a unique Boardfolio, demonstrating growing confidence in wood-burning.

It was fantastic to see the variety of designs produced, with everyone adding their own personal style and artistic flair. The atmosphere in the classroom was supportive and encouraging, with learners sharing ideas, helping one another, and celebrating each other's progress.

Congratulations to everyone on completing this project and reaching the end of Week 8. You should all be incredibly proud of what you have achieved. Your commitment, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn have made the course a pleasure to deliver. We look forward to seeing where your creative journey takes you next

07/07/2026

Week 7 starts the "Boardfolio" Challenge... next week we reveal all.

30/06/2026

Week 6 marks a turning point in our pyrography journey and the final chapter of our foundational practice lessons.
We have officially moved away from isolated drills and abstract exercises, channelling every single skill you’ve developed over the last month into real practice boards. This week, our focus has been all about bringing the magic together and applying it all to a beautiful, complete illustrative burn of your own choice.
Seeing your individual styles come to life on the wood has been rewarding!

Looking Ahead: The "Board-Folio" & Beyond
As we close out our practice phase, get ready for what comes next. We have some amazing projects lined up to wrap up the course:

Weeks 7 & 8: The "Board-Folio" Next week, we transition from practice to presentation. You will start your "board-folio"—a dedicated, two-week project where you will bring together everything you've learned over the past 6 weeks into a cohesive final presentation based on a theme you choose.

Weeks 9 & 10: The "Jewellery Box" Challenge. Of course, the journey wouldn't be complete without our grand finale! We will wrap up the course by putting your skills to the ultimate test, transforming a blank wooden jewellery box into a functional, hand-burned masterpiece.