The Council’s popular craft market is returning for its sixth consecutive year – showcasing handmade arts and crafts from talented adult learners.
On Wednesday 8 July, the Council’s Designed and Made in Hounslow craft market will take place at The Arts Centre (First Floor, Treaty Centre, Hounslow High Street, TW3 1ES) from 11am to 3pm.
Run by Learn Hounslow, the Council’s adult and community education offer, the market will feature stalls selling a range of products, including paintings, pottery, jewellery, baking, cake toppers and many more handmade craft items.
Stalls are managed by learners from creative courses who are exploring self-employment or starting a business. The market can give them valuable real-world experience in trading and customer engagement, as well as the opportunity to connect with fellow makers and craft enthusiasts.
Maria, a Learn Hounslow student, took part in the market last year. Following her success at the previous market, she will be returning this year to sell handmade decoupage candles. She said:
Last year I sold handmade decoupage bottles that I created myself. This experience boosted my confidence and helped me develop my sales skills. Using the decoupage techniques I learned in a floristry course, I went on to sell more than 100 handmade decoupage candles through social media.
Councillor Madeeha Asim, Cabinet Member for Children and Young Futures at Hounslow Council, said:
Each year, Learn Hounslow empowers over 2,000 adult learners to build essential skills into further study or employment. Our Designed and Made in Hounslow craft market is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the creativity within the community, whilst helping learners build their confidence and business skills.
The market is open to the public to see and buy locally made products, while supporting the lifelong learning community in the borough.
In addition, visitors can find out more about Learn Hounslow courses and how these courses can support their professional and personal development - whether they want to learn new skills, upskill, improve their chances of finding work or start a business.
From September 2026, Learn Hounslow will offer qualification courses in English, Maths, and digital learning. Residents can also take advantage of a wide range of vocational programmes, including creative arts, teaching assistant, childcare including those involved in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), health, bookkeeping and accounting, and more.
Initial assessments are required for some courses to help identify the right course and provide additional support for learners.
Assessment sessions for courses including vocational, digital skills, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) as well as English and Maths, will take place in July, from Thursday, 9 July, and again in September.
Residents interested can speak directly to staff at the Designed and Made in Hounslow craft market, book an initial assessment by calling 020 8583 6000 or find out more by visiting the website: www.hounslow.gov.uk/adult-education-courses
