A FRESH look and a new name have signalled 'out with the old and in with the new' at the former Pathway Workshop in Blackbird Leys.

From now on the charity, which employs and trains people facing disadvantage by creating garden furniture and other items from reclaimed timber, will be known as Raw.

As well as shedding its old name, the workshop in Dunnock Way is set to embrace new management in the coming months from Littlemore mental health charity Response.

For years the site, which currently has about 15 employees and volunteers, struggled to weather a series of funding crises that nearly saw it close altogether.

Chair of trustees Bill Pattison said: "We feel Pathway is having a fresh start after some difficult times.

"We wanted to re-invigorate to reflect the new ideas, support and vision we have been working on."

In February this year Response began moving some staff into office space at the workshop while 'social business' Thrive began rebranding efforts.

Response CEO John McLaughlin said: "Government cuts have had a drastic impact on smaller charities, with many simply having to close.

"We saw the potential of Pathway and knew we could and should help.

"The workshop is a hugely valuable resource for the community and disadvantaged groups; we didn’t want to see it have to close."

Over the course of this year Raw has seen orders flood in for everything from 'friendship benches' for local schools to bird boxes for BBC Springwatch.

It will still be committed to employing people facing barriers to work such as learning and physical disabilities or mental health problems.

In the last six months ex-offenders and Oxford residents recovering from addiction have also begun to cultivate new skills on the site.

Simon Kent, 27, who first joined Raw three years ago and has since progressed to paid employment, said being at the workshop "has made me feel better about myself".

He added: "I've learned lots of skills, made new friends and feel much more confident.

"I've got fitter too and it's nice to go home having done a proper day's work. It's easier to relax and wind down."

More volunteers, particularly those who are retired and have some experience in woodwork, are being sought to help the business cope with newfound demand.

For more information or to get involved call 01865 714111.