We are BOWYER + TOULSON, a small woodworking studio based in Ladner in British Columbia. We repurpose fallen urban trees into hand made charcuterie boards that come with the provenance of the street name they came from.

Since we opened in 2014, we have seen how woodworking brings people together, it creates conversation and connection. That insight has inspired the next chapter of our work.

We’re launching Second Growth, a shared workshop program designed to reduce social isolation among seniors by engaging them in meaningful, low-risk making activities and storytelling. The program also creates opportunities for connection with younger generations and the wider community.

Why This Matters

Many seniors experience isolation long before entering long-term care. While social programs exist, many people are looking for more than activities, they want purpose, contribution, and connection.

Second Growth invites seniors to:

• Help finish and prepare handcrafted wood pieces

• Share stories connected to local trees and neighborhoods

• Participate in small, welcoming group settings

• Contribute to something meaningful

This isn’t about production — it’s about participation and purpose.

How It Works

BOWYER + TOULSON prepares the boards in advance.

Participants engage in safe, seated activities such as:

• Hand finishing and oiling

• Labeling and packaging

• Provenance storytelling

A portion of proceeds from product sales is then directed, by participants, toward community programs or charities they care about.

This gives seniors voice, agency, and impact.

Our Goal

We are raising $45,000 to launch a pilot workshop that covers:

• Workshop space and setup

• Materials and supplies

• Program facilitation

• Safety equipment

• Transportation and logistics

• Program evaluation

We’ve already seen encouraging community support and early contributions, and we’re excited to bring this vision to life.

Thank you for taking the time to read and for supporting the return of this work. You can also view our Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/bowyerandtoulson?igsh=bDg0MjU1MzE0emp3&utm_source=qr