Colorful children's toy spelling 'BLD' with a screwdriver and screw on the letters 'L' and 'D'.

Hands on, screens off. Connecting families and building real skills with in person DIY experiences.

Why were doing this

Britain’s Future Is Being Lost in the Classroom
We’re facing a national crisis: trades skills are vanishing, parent-child connection is weakening, and ADHD diagnoses are soaring. Behind it all? An outdated, one-size-fits-all education system that’s failing a generation.

Not all kids thrive sitting still for eight hours. Some need to build, create, and move to learn. That’s where we come in.

BLD is a bold new hands-on experience for children aged 7–14 and their parents, designed to bring families closer and spark practical, creative skills for life. Together, you’ll drill, wire, hammer, and problem-solve in a way that traditional schools can’t.

We’re reimagining education. For the better. For good.

Connection

With our in‑person experience, you’ll reconnect with your child by solving real-world problems together building things, not just memories. It’s a chance to step away from screens and grow closer, one project at a time.
Studies show that children who spend over 2 hours of screen time per day are up to 2.4 times more likely to have speech delays or learning difficulties — so hands-on, screen-free time really matters

Safe learning enviroment

At BLD, we’re building a safe space for learning — where mistakes are part of the process, not something to fear.
This is a place where curiosity is rewarded, not punished. Every child is encouraged to explore, experiment, and grow.

All tools will be modified for safety, and PPE will be built into every experience — so parents can feel confident, and kids can focus on having fun while learning something real.

Real world skills

We teach real-world skills in a way that suits your child’s natural way of learning.

From plumbing and electrical work to engineering, landscaping, and woodworking, your child will gain hands-on experience that won’t even feel like a lesson. It’s fun, practical, and empowering.

The best part? They’ll build more than just skills — they’ll build confidence, independence, and a serious head start in life.

Career oppurtunity

We’re here to spark skills that last a lifetime.
By partnering with leading apprenticeship providers across the UK, BLD offers your child a clear pathway into real career, if and when they’re ready. Whether it’s a trade, a craft, or a calling, we’re laying the foundation early.

We are not just a one off experience, we are a movement.

  • Portrait of a young man with short brown hair, smiling, wearing a black zip-up shirt, against a plain white background.

    Nicky Fairclough

    FOUNDER

    Engineer and innovator, turned entrepreneur. 10 years in the engineering industry with a focus on upskilling and systemic performance.

  • Close-up of a young man with light brown hair, blue eyes, and a beard, smiling, wearing a light-colored collared shirt with a small emblem on the chest, against a plain white background.

    Andrew Wynne

    EXPERIENCE DESIGN

    Experienced phycologist acting in an advisory role, to help structure the classes around good learning practices.

  • A young man with a backpack standing and talking on the phone inside an airport terminal, looking out through large glass windows at a cityscape with cloudy skies.

    Dan Canavan

    ADVISOR

    Director of the spark group, decades of experience in the training and education sector.

Our promise to you

To close the UK’s growing trade skills gap while bringing families back together, face to face, tool in hand.

In a world dominated by screens and passive learning, we’re creating a space where children and parents can connect through creativity, build practical skills, and rediscover the joy of learning by doing.

No desks. No tests. No distractions. Just real-world, hands-on experiences — from woodworking to wiring — designed to spark confidence, purpose, and possibility.

We’re not just rethinking education.
We’re rebuilding it. Together.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

If you’re concerned about the growing skills gap, the rise in ADHD, the damage caused by excessive screen time or if you simply want to have fun while learning something real, join our wait list for updates, get exclusive discounts upon launch and have a real say in how we operate.

BUILD

LEARN

DREAM

Contact Us

if you’ve got any suggestions, would like to work with us or would just like to learn more, then please don’t hesitate to contact us!