A QUIET revolution is taking place in Blackbird Leys as one of Oxford's most under-recognised charities blossoms into a booming business that has gone "slightly mad".

Less than one year ago the Pathway Workshop in Blackbird Leys faced a funding crisis so severe it was on the brink of closing up shop for good.

But the facility in Dunnock Way, now led by partnership ThriveResponse, has become a hive of activity creating weird and wonderful products from reclaimed wood.

Thrive MD Rick Mower said the workshop, which employs people with learning difficulties as well as those facing disadvantage and prejudice, was on the way to placing itself firmly "at the heart of the community".

He added: "The guys have really loved it. It got busier and busier and people feel part of something that's quite special."

In the past few months staff and volunteers have created more than 2,000 bird boxes for BBC Springwatch, worked on a commission for the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, created hand-turned pens from 4,000-year-old bog oak and built special 'methadone boxes' for national charity the Oasis Partnership.

Mr Mower said: "The boxes are for people who are recovering from addiction; they live at home but you don't want the kids to get at them.

"We made the boxes very 'designer' because it's not about stigmatising people, it's about having a nice piece of wood in your house."

Youngsters from Garsington Primary School recently designed a special wooden 'Buddy bench' for its playground with the help of ThriveResponse.

A series of long-term projects are now in the pipeline, including work with ex-offenders coming to the end of their sentence at Spring Hill prison in Aylesbury.

Mental health charity Response, which up until now was based in Littlemore, has also lent its expertise to the project and moved some of its staff to Blackbird Leys.

The majority of staff and volunteers in Dunnock Way have struggled in the past due to disabilities, addiction and difficult backgrounds.

Long-time worker Tim Hughes, 36, from Blackbird Leys, said: "I've been here 18 years and it's like a lovely family.

"It's high-end and the other people here can learn different sets of skills, and use them here or take them on to other places. I'm here until retirement age."

Tonnes of timber with a history all its own - from trees in the former Westgate car park to Burma teak rescued from a steam ship sunk in World War One - and organisers are now looking to renovate an old barn at the back of the site from extra storage. The whole site is planning a full relaunch in the coming weeks.

Volunteers from all walks of life, particularly those who are retired and have woodwork experience, are being sought. For more information call 01865 714111.