What We Do

We offer fun, friendly, informal, classes and courses for you to learn everything from feltmaking to joinery to journalism — directly from people with lifetime knowhow.

Classes start from as little as £15 and courses from £120, and take place everywhere from coffee shops, to pub backrooms, to workshops, to cosy living rooms, to online hangouts - anywhere that isn't a traditional classroom.

Who are the teachers?

Anyone over the age of 50 can become an Amazing. You don't need to have been a teacher, or have letters after your name. The important thing is to be utterly passionate about your interest, and to want to share your wisdom. It's free to suggest a class. Become an Amazing teacher

Who are the classes for?

Anyone who wants to learn but hates formality. We want to make learning more fun, more friendly, more social, and more personal. If you want certificates or diplomas, keep on walking. If you're interested in learning for its own sake, we've probably got a class for you.

Where are you based?

Right now, we're only in London, but we plan to scale out (UK and beyond!) in 2013. If you sign up to our newsletter, you'll be the first to know when we do.

Are the classes any good?

We've not had a bad review yet and we're getting towards 100 classes. However, this is a totally new concept, and we're not recruiting professional teachers. Instead, we've made short films and audio clips to give you a little insight into the person you'll be learning from.

The Mission

Why do we do it?

We see Amazingness everywhere. It's the retired postman who can play the ukulele. It's the grandparent who knows morse code. It;s the neighbour who was an opera singer. Maybe society isn't as good at passing down these skills through generations as we used to be. Our little company started because we wanted to fix this.

What's the big idea?

Our vision is a marketplace and platform for wisdom. We see the potential to change learning; the opportunity to re-think retirement; the possibility of bringing together communities; and the chance to bring back the make-do and mend spirit, so we can at the very least, know how to hem a skirt or fix a bike.

What do we believe?

Being an entrepreneur isn't just for spotty US college graduates. You're more likely to start a successful venture if you're over 50 (than under 25). Fact. Google it. It's true.

Craft, making things, traditional skills, are not just really important, but also really satisfying and really cool.

Learning doesn't have to take place in classrooms. We all know this because most of us have forgotten what we learnt in classrooms.

The best and biggest businesses tackle the biggest and best problems. We're ambitious. We're up for a challenge. Why would we have it any other way?

The money is always running out. Enough said.

Team

Who works at The Amazings?

Adil is The Boss, Jen and Mairead are our Community Managers, Tony is our Technical Lead, and Tara is our videographer. We're a small team, with a big vision.

How did The Amazings get started?

The idea for the venture was developed out of Sidekick Studios, an innovation lab, 2011. The team were led by Katie Harris, and the company was officially set up at the start of 2012. Since then, we've been gradually growing across London and are soon set to go nationwide.

Who are your friends and supporters?

We've been lucky enough to get the help of a number of organisations along the way, including Technology Strategy Board, The Design Council, NESTA, and the Deloitte Pioneers programme. We've also been lucky enough to work with some great people, who've got stuck in because they believe in what we're doing. Notably, Paul for taking the excellent photographs, Marie for many a cold winters day in Broadway market, Michelle for helping with graphics, Kerrie for getting our house in order, and Rich for doing everything, everywhere.

Media

Who do I contact for press enquiries?

Liam Fay-Fright, 0774 313 9887 liam@theamazings.com

Contact

How do I get in touch?

• Phone number – 0207 490 4573
• For general enquiries and chit-chat - info@theamazings.com
• For technical bugs and gremlins – tech@theamazings.com
• If you want to become an Amazing – Fill out this form
• For media enquiries – liam@theamazings.com

Can I meet you in person?

Of course. We are humans. Our HQ is 124-128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NJ