The Orange Toolbox

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A multi award winning construction workshop designed to help develop a child’s knowledge and practical ability towards construction, resulting in valuable skills to utilise throughout life.

08/05/2026

Friday

11+ group this morning decided to work outdoors in the garden for most of it. Hive of activity. We have two go carts on the go, a ferret hutch and an oak sword being produced. A few of the group decided to have a go at making the water entry point for the water table but hit a snag with the lack of water pressure to fill the void inside the pipe enough to do what they wanted it to do. But they tried and learnt a lesson along the way which they laughed at 😂. The wildlife pond area is coming along beautifully with a group of children today working hard on removing the existing 20mm shingle and replacing it with bark chippings from to help encourage insects and create a damper environment for any potential amphibians to use. They also then cut up weathered and slightly decaying logs and posts and then screwed them together in a natural form along with drilling holes for insects thus creating a food source and shelter for wild life to benefit from. It is become a haven for all manner of critters and visitors.

SEN group and a packed house today. The sailing boat got its mask and sail attached today and it floated lovely. We have a ferry being made as well. The ongoing contemporary planter has had one of the three boxes fabricated. We have a creative military item being put together, a secret box hat will hold all manner of delicious treats. The owl box is almost complete and looks like a good home for an owl.

Tiny Tools made a boat today with a mast and sail. It certainly gave it a good go on the open waters after. Lots of screwing, drilling, sawing and measuring today.

What a beauty of a week.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have recently been shortlisted as one of the top 10 Finalists for 'Best Childrens Service' in Sussex by MuddyStilletos. We need as many members of the public to vote for us to win this honour.

Please vote via the link on our bio or via https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you!

Ben and my team at The Orange ToolBox

07/05/2026

Thursday!

SEN session was all about Mineceaft today with that theme in mind for a cubed craft box underway as well as the Minecraft Llama 🦙 which was finished today. How awesome does this look!

Junior group completed a table started last week and the gymnastic figure was also finished. We have seat almost done and a sword is currently underway. The water table got it's drainage plumbing sorted and the table was set tilted at 1:100 down stream and leveled side to side. Great stuff!

After-School Primary group had a planter on the go as well as an aeroplane. The chisel work on the hull of the boat from last week is complete and the boat is now sailing on its way home having past all water tests. We also had a games paddle made and there is an oak chopping board on the go too. The pond plants are in need of repotting in some mesh baskets but for now the posts had holes drilled into them by one of our wonderful group members to allow water to pass through the root systems and then we cut up my last year's Christmas tree trunk I saved, drilling holes in it and fixing together to encourage local wildlife to call the pond home.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have recently been shortlisted as one of the top 10 Finalists for 'Best Childrens Service' in Sussex by MuddyStilletos. We need as many members of the public to vote for us to win this honour.

Please vote via the link on our bio or via https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you!

Ben and my team at The Orange ToolBox

Happy Thursday.My 5 year old son went with me to get some indoor hanging plants for the workshop for the children to loo...
07/05/2026

Happy Thursday.

My 5 year old son went with me to get some indoor hanging plants for the workshop for the children to look at in the hope that maybe it will help calm the anxiety children can have from past traumas and life in general when they start their first sessions with us. I am a great believer in nature and the positives effects it can have on mental health.

My son Albie decided on this small plant as it is "Orange and I really like it because it is also cute". We 3d printed the fun plant pot 😂

🎉 WE’RE FINALISTS! 🎉We are incredibly proud to share that The Orange ToolBox has been named a finalist in the Muddy Stil...
06/05/2026

🎉 WE’RE FINALISTS! 🎉

We are incredibly proud to share that The Orange ToolBox has been named a finalist in the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2026 for BEST CHILDREN’S BUSINESS IN SUSSEX 🧡

As a multi award-winning construction workshop for children aged 2–16, inclusive of SEN, this nomination means so much to us.

Every single vote helps us raise awareness of the services we provide and the positive impact they have on the children and families who attend our workshops.

From building confidence and creativity to developing life skills, teamwork and independence, we are passionate about creating opportunities where every child can thrive.

If you’ve supported us, attended a session, recommended us, or simply believe in what we do, we would be so grateful for your vote.

🗳️ Vote here:
https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you for believing in The Orange ToolBox and helping us continue making a difference across Sussex 🧡

06/05/2026

Wednesday

Uckfield College students were adamant today to create more furniture based on their own designs. Love watching everyone's creative ideas come to life.

There was a rustic oak floor lamp made today from English oak donated by which included a mitre joint and a dowel pin. This student also learnt how to wire it all up and the lamp lit up beautifully. Nice work!! We had a stool made with some nicely designed stool legs and braces that where cut at 45°...awesome!! One of the students made a set of floating shelves set apart 300mm and screwed onto a 200x50mm bit timber then painted with eggshell white! This is looking good! I was also amazed at the competence displayed around the usage of power tools today. Fantastic!

Private 1:1 session and a soap box derby car for this individual's cat was created today. Absolutely brilliant! That is one lucky cat.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have recently been shortlisted as one of the top 10 Finalists for 'Best Childrens Service' in Sussex by MuddyStilletos. We need as many members of the public to vote for us to win this honour.

Please vote via the link on our bio or via https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you!

Ben and my team at The Orange ToolBox

🧡 12 Months of Building Futures For Ukrainian Children 🧡At The Orange Toolbox, we’re all about construction skills for l...
06/05/2026

🧡 12 Months of Building Futures For Ukrainian Children 🧡

At The Orange Toolbox, we’re all about construction skills for life.

Our multi award-winning workshops introduce children aged 2–16 (including those with SEN) to the wider building industry. Developing practical skills, confidence, teamwork, and creativity through hands-on experiences.

For over 12 months, we’ve proudly supported children from Ukraine by delivering FREE workshop sessions. Creating a safe, positive space where they can learn, connect, and grow.

Together, we’re not just teaching skills, we’re helping rebuild confidence, spark ambition, and shape brighter futures 💛

Here’s to continuing to build opportunities for every child 🇺🇦✨

BBC South East Interview article upon starting the free Ukrainian sessions.....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kgyr3165po



⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have recently been shortlisted as one of the top 10 Finalists for 'Best Childrens Service' in Sussex by MuddyStilletos. We need as many members of the public to vote for us to win this honour.

Please vote via the link on our bio or via https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you!

Ben and my team at The Orange ToolBox

05/05/2026

Tuesday

SEN session where a crate made last week had its orange paint put on. We also had two of our new members experiment with tools and make two swords/daggers. Great stuff.

Juniors started a raised planters project for their house. We had a bird house and a wooden trug made. The bird table labeled 'Mr Crow' started a couple of weeks ago was carried on today and by the end of the session it was complete. Great job!

Private 1:1 and it was all a out making a WWI sea plane. Today we concentrated on the fuselage.

After-School Primary group had a brilliant looking bird house made. There is a trebuchet on the making as well as small storage box. The seat started last week was finished. The tool stage shelf unit also had additions added.

What a busy fun day which also included my 5 year old son helping me paint the outdoor water table a lovely blue.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have recently been shortlisted as one of the top 10 Finalists for 'Best Childrens Service' in Sussex by MuddyStilletos. We need as many members of the public to vote for us to win this honour.

Please vote via the link on our bio or via https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you!

Ben and my team at The Orange ToolBox

04/05/2026

Monday

Private 2:1 session and we applied a coat of acrylic primer and undercoat on the soft toy house shelf unit. Looks great. We also got an idea for next week with making a bag toss game like the one we have in the garden here. Love that the garden has inspired this.

11+ group did a few more repairs on the bench donated to us and then sanded the whole bench along with using a wire brush to open up the grain in the new oak pieces so once they tone down in the sunshine, they will match the rest of the bench and blend in beautifully. We also had a series of hexagon wooden pieces created, that took some effort from this individual today. There was a turtle house and several experimental items using the rotary tool. Two members of the group decided to have a go at weather boarding parts of the potting shed that still needs it.

Happy bank holiday Monday.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have recently been shortlisted as one of the top 10 Finalists for 'Best Childrens Service' in Sussex by MuddyStilletos. We need as many members of the public to vote for us to win this honour.

Please vote via the link on our bio or via https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you!

Ben and my team at The Orange ToolBox

Had a chance today to cut and weld the mild steel sheet and box edge today for the water activity table. Looking forward...
04/05/2026

Had a chance today to cut and weld the mild steel sheet and box edge today for the water activity table. Looking forward to getting the children involved in the rest of the build and then having a lot of fun making dams, bridges and water tests relating to buildings etc...

Metal supplied by

Watch this space...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have recently been shortlisted as one of the top 10 Finalists for 'Best Childrens Service' in Sussex by MuddyStilletos. We need as many members of the public to vote for us to win this honour.

Please vote via the link on our bio or via https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you!

Ben and my team at The Orange ToolBox

01/05/2026

Friday!

11+ group made some advancement on the external water activity table. Using the track saw to cut up some ply and fix that down on the frame work which we also reinforced today ready for the 1.2mm mild steel sheet and 50mm X 20mm steel box section that delivered this morning first thing. The go cart had a run out. We have another ongoing go cart project being produced. The oak frame ferret hutch is coming on nicely and there is a secretive project also happening.

SEN session and the field mouse house is finally finished. Certainly not lightweight but it will suit the exposure to the elements of a field and the mice will be happy in their new digs. We also had an owl box made.

Tiny Tools and today was all about banging in nails and drilling holes. We did also use the burning pens to burn on some decorative drawings on wood.

It is certainly worth a mention that is a class act with metal supplies. Good quality, great pricing, fast, efficient and very reasonable delivery time and costs. I have used their services for a while in building works and I can't recommend them enough.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have recently been shortlisted as one of the top 10 Finalists for 'Best Childrens Service' in Sussex by MuddyStilletos. We need as many members of the public to vote for us to win this honour.

Please vote via the link on our bio or via https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you!

Ben and my team at The Orange ToolBox

01/05/2026

Reinstating a vandalised bus stop bench outside Hailsham Primary Academy School at 7.30am this morning with Bryn who comes to our After-School Primary groups.

The Orange ToolBox, a multi-award winning construction workshop for children aged 2 to 16 years inclusive of SEN.

After seeing the post on a Hailsham Facebook group which showed this well used and loved community bench had been lifted out by youths and then vandalised with its legs kicked off outside this school and bus stop, I could not sit by and let this be it for the bench, so I offered for The Orange ToolBox to repair and reinstall at no cost. Having repaired it back at .orange.toolbox on Monday, I asked Bryn (a local lad) along to come help install it first thing this morning. What a great job Bryn did and doing it for his local community before school!!! LEGEND!!

Thank you to for the donation of Postcrete for this! Amazing

Now the locals including folks from the local nursing home can have a place to rest, talk and enjoy the bench once more waiting for a bus or simply a resting point on a walk. The stories we have heard from people using this bench, such as a mother used to use it to sit down breastfeed her baby after dropping her child off to school, the older generations will sit there and chat away...priceless!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have recently been shortlisted as one of the top 10 Finalists for 'Best Childrens Service' in Sussex by MuddyStilletos. We need as many members of the public to vote for us to win this honour.

Please vote via the link on our bio or via https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you!

Ben and my team at The Orange ToolBox

Address

The Orange ToolBox, Brownings Farm Workshops, Lewes Road, Blackboys
Uckfield
TN225HG

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