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Discussion during practical work within The Owl’s Nest project

The Owl’s NestThe Owl’s Nest

Making, repairing, practical learning and moving forward together.

At locations where The Owl’s Nest work model is carried out, you can get practically involved: make or repair something, work on your own project, learn a skill, share knowledge or take part in a workshop. What is possible depends on the location, the available capabilities and the people working there together.

The Owl’s Nest is a project built around a shareable work model. That work model can be carried out by different operators at different locations. A specific location gives it a local form, but no single location or operator defines or limits the project as a whole.

Practical work, learning, knowledge sharing, social contact, recovery and participation each have a place within the work model. People can take part or contribute, while professionals and organisations can collaborate around activities and projects or explore how The Owl’s Nest could also take shape elsewhere.

Practical work, shared knowledge and room to move forward.

What brings you here?

You can start with something practical, explore what is possible, find a location, contribute or learn more about The Owl’s Nest. Choose the route that best matches what you are looking for.

Get started

Explore what is possible

Different capabilities within The Owl’s Nest work modelFrom repair, woodworking, metalworking and electronics to arts, digital activities and social contact. Explore the capabilities that form part of the work model and see how their practical implementation can differ by location.

Explore the capabilities

Use a workshop location

Working on a personal woodworking project with someone nearby to offer adviceBring your own project, repair or partly completed work. Learn how workshop use works, which capabilities and facilities are available at each location and which arrangements and costs may apply.

Use the workshop

Take a workshop

Learning a practical skill during a workshopLearn or try a technique with guidance. See which workshops are currently available and what you can expect during a session.

View the workshops

Contribute

Contributing useful tools and equipment to the shared workshopContribute time, knowledge and practical help, materials and equipment, or financial resources. Explore specific requests and broader campaigns and see where a contribution is welcome.

Explore ways to contribute

Find a location

Illustrative workshop location in a historic building, with The Owl’s Nest owl sign hanging behind the windowSee where the work model is carried out and what you can find at each location, including practical capabilities, facilities, access and local arrangements.

View the locations

Learn more about The Owl’s Nest or collaborate

Learn more about the principles and history of The Owl’s Nest, discover different ways to take part, explore projects or see how professionals and organisations can collaborate. If you would like to make something similar possible in your neighbourhood, school, organisation or town, you can also learn how The Owl’s Nest could take shape there.

Learn or collaborate

About The Owl’s Nest

The shareable work model of The Owl’s Nest projectLearn how the project developed, which principles underpin it and how the shareable work model can be carried out by different operators and at different locations.

Learn more about The Owl’s Nest

Ways to take part

Making a mosaic, repairing a drawer together or joining the table with a cup of coffeeDiscover different ways to take part: making and repairing, arts and crafts, practical learning, volunteering or rebuilding rhythm and capacity at a suitable pace.

See how you can take part

Projects

Projects at The Owl’s NestExplore projects that are built up and developed over time. Some begin with a practical idea, others with a question, experiment or need. They show how knowledge, experience, materials and collaboration can develop as the work progresses.

View the projects

For professionals and organisations

A collaborative conversation at a workshop table, discussing a practical projectLearn how practical work, learning, recovery and participation can connect with education, care and treatment, reintegration, employers, referrers and other forms of social collaboration.

Information for professionals

Bring The Owl’s Nest to your place

Illustration of three people viewing a historic building with a FOR SALE sign as a potential new workshopWould you like to create a place in your neighbourhood, school, organisation or town where people can work practically, share knowledge, learn, repair, make things and meet others? Explore how The Owl’s Nest could take shape there, what is needed and which knowledge and experience can help you get started.

Learn how to get started

What is happening?

Requests make specific needs visible, campaigns bring contributions together around a broader or longer-running need, and updates show what is changing. Below you can see a selection of the most recent requests, campaigns and updates.

September 25th, 2026: Help Linux Café Haarlem repair and upgrade computers

Help Linux Café Haarlem repair and upgrade computers

A financial contribution helps Linux Café Haarlem buy parts to repair, upgrade and return laptops and computers to useful service.

Read this campaign…

August 22nd, 2026: Old computers and computer equipment wanted for reuse

Old computers and computer equipment wanted for reuse

Give old laptops, desktop PCs, monitors and other computer hardware another useful destination through repair, reuse with Linux or preservation of older systems in the collection.

Read this campaign…

August 2nd, 2026: Help needed to build a masonry wall

Help needed to build a masonry wall

A request for volunteers to help build a masonry wall at the back of The Owl's Nest workshop at Paul Krugerstraat.

Read this request…