by Caroline Henn | Feb 10, 2025
Join Our June 2025 DIY Club for Women!
Kick off your DIY journey with our exclusive Monday Evening Women-only DIY Club, starting on 2nd June 2025. This 4-week course, priced at just £95, includes all 4 sessions and offers a unique opportunity to learn and practice essential DIY skills in a supportive, women-only environment.
Our DIY Club for Women provides a safe and relaxed space to explore new skills at your own pace. With a friendly atmosphere and plenty of room to experiment, you’ll gain confidence in tackling DIY projects at home. Each session is designed to give you a comprehensive grounding in practical skills, along with handy tips and tricks.
Sessions begin at 6.30pm, but feel free to arrive when it suits you. We wrap up between 8.30 and 9pm, ensuring a flexible and enjoyable learning experience.
With a wide range of tools and ample space to practice, you’ll have everything you need to succeed. Plus, bring your DIY issues and problems, and we’ll work together to find practical solutions that meet your needs.
Don’t miss out on this empowering DIY Course for Women—reserve your spot today!
by Caroline Henn | Feb 2, 2025
Friday 2 May
2pm – 4pm
Learn to use a Drill
Conquer your fear of using a drill in this Bitesize introduction to Cordless Drills & impact Drivers. Discover just how easy it is to use a drill safely and confidently.
What You’ll Learn:
- You’ll learn how to choose the right drill bit,
- how to drill with control and get successful results every time.
- Most importantly, we’ll help you feel confident about knowing where it is safe to drill, and what to do, if things don’t go according to plan.
- AND you’ll learn about choosing and using the right fixings for your projects.
This course will really get you started on your DIY journey
This is part of our short “Bitesize-DIY” courses for those who don’t have time for a half-day course. They are designed to help you get started on your DIY journey, and build your DIY Confidence to start working through that DIY Jobs list at home
Book this Bitesize-DIY Drilling Course
by Caroline Henn | Feb 2, 2025
Friday 30th May
9.30am – 1pm
Book ANY two Half-Day Courses at the same time & get £20 off
Are you a complete DIY beginner eager to tackle home projects but unsure where to start? Our “Nailing It!” course is the perfect introduction to the world of DIY, designed especially for those who want to gain confidence and skills in home maintenance.
Many people feel they should be able to handle basic DIY tasks but don’t know how to begin. That’s where we come in! This course is your ideal starting point.
In this friendly and hands-on session, you’ll get acquainted with a variety of essential hand tools that will form the foundation of your home toolkit. You’ll have the chance to try out different tools and learn how to use them safely and effectively, helping you choose the ones that feel just right for you.
We understand the frustration of buying a shiny new tool only to find it’s too heavy or awkward to use. By experimenting with various tools during the course, you’ll avoid these common pitfalls.
We’ll also introduce you to cordless drills and drivers, showcasing a range of makes and models so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.
As with all our DIY courses, our goal is for you to leave feeling more confident and knowledgeable about DIY.
Join us for this Half-Day Beginners DIY Course for just £80. We provide all the tools, materials, and expertise—you just need to bring yourself and your enthusiasm!
this Beginners DIY Course
by Caroline Henn | Dec 18, 2024
Learn to use a Drill
Conquer your fear of using a drill in this Bitesize introduction to Cordless Drills & impact Drivers
Discover just how easy it is to use a drill safely and confidently.
You’ll learn how to choose the right drill bit, how to drill with control and get successful results every time.
Most importantly, we’ll help you feel confident about knowing where it is safe to drill, and what to do, if things don’t go according to plan.
AND you’ll lear about choosing and using the right fixings for your projects.
This course will really get you started on your DIY journey
This is part of our short “Bitesize” courses for those who don’t have time for a half-day course. They are designed to help you get started on your DIY journey, and build your DIY Confidence to start working through that DIY Jobs list at home
by Caroline Henn | Dec 7, 2024
Saturday 22nd March
9.30am – 1pm
Book ANY two Half-Day Courses at the same time & Get 15% off
Master your home’s plumbing in one practical half-day session
About This Workshop:
Transform your relationship with your home’s plumbing. No more panic, no more uncertainty, no more unnecessary emergency call-outs. This hands-on workshop gives you the knowledge and confidence to handle common plumbing situations and know exactly when you need professional help.
What You’ll Learn:
• How your home’s plumbing system works (explained clearly!)
• Common problems and how to fix them
• Essential maintenance to prevent disasters
• When to DIY and when to call a professional
• How to talk confidently with traders
Perfect For:
• Homeowners wanting to save money
• Anyone tired of feeling clueless about plumbing
• Those looking to prevent costly emergencies
• People wanting to feel more confident about their home
Workshop Details:
• Duration: 3.5 hours
• Group size: Maximum 4 people
• Female Tutors
Includes:
• Hands-on practical learning
• Take-home reference guide
• Ongoing WhatsApp/email/phone support
• Refreshments
Book this DIY Plumbing Half-Day Workshop
by Caroline Henn | Nov 15, 2024 | DIY Electrical Advice, Practical DIY Advice
Smoke Detectors in the Night
It’s that time of year again
Its no coincidence that Smoke & Heat Detectors start beeping at you in the wee small hours as the weather starts t0 get colder.
Batteries struggle in colder weather.
Many Mains-operated Smoke and Heat Detectors have a removable back-up battery (for those times when you have a power cut, and need to know that you’re still protected).
If the battery is running a bit low, its going to let you know by beeping at you intermittently. Annoyingly this often means that you’re not in the right place at the right time to work out which Smoke Detector is actually beeping at you.
What can you do?
Well, be prepared. This is likely to happen in the middle of the night, and it is going to drive you mad.
Buy some batteries, just in case
Most Smoke/Heat Detectors take a 9V PP3 Battery. Its a good idea to stock up on these in anticipation tht you’re going to need them
How do you change the battery?
Each make of Smoke Detector is slightly different.
Some twist off – you turn the body of the Smoke Detector Ant-clockwise and it drops down, giving you access to the battery chamber.
Others (Aico in particular) slide off. You need a to push a small flat-head screwdriver into a small hole to release the locking mechanism.
If you search online for your make of Smoke Detector, there will be instructions for accessing the battery and changing it.
Once you have changed the battery, press the TEST button, to make sure that its working. If you have Interconnected-Smoke Detectors, this should set all your smoke Detectors going.

Check the date
Yes, Smoke & Heat Detectors have an expiry date. This should be written on the side of the detector. Often they’ll tell you that they’re old, by beeping at you.
If your Smoke Detctectors have expired, please change them. With some makes, this is very much a DIY Job.
Check out our post “How Old are Your Smoke Detectors?” if you need more information about how to do this.
Another useful source of helpful information is the Safelincs Website. They sell all sorts of alarms, and have lots of useful How-to Guides on their website.
Please Look after your Smoke Detectors.
They could save your life.
by Caroline Henn | Oct 27, 2024 | DIY Advice, DIY Electrical Advice, DIY Plumbing Advice, Practical DIY Advice
4 Things you should do when you move into a New Home
A Little Housekeeping:
The Essential Stuff You Should Know
This may not be what you first think of when you move into a new home, but it could save you alot of money. Think of this as a “getting to know your home” exercise.
These are essental checks thatyou should make in your New Home. They could save you money and might even save your life. They will definitely stop a plumber from giving you that pitying look when you’re not sure where the water turns off.
We all know nothing productive happens without a cuppa first. So, brew up and let’s crack on.
You might think you know where the Consumer Unit (fuse box, for us mere mortals) is, but let’s be sure, shall we? Now, ask yourself these important questions:
Can I turn it off quickly if I need to?
Go on, try switching it off and back on again. If it’s buried at the back of a cupboard, do yourself a favour and keep the path clear – no one wants to dig through old paint cans or a mountain of camping gear in an emergency. Also, maybe avoid storing anything flammable in there? Just a thought.
Can you clearly tell which switch controls what, or does it feel more like a raffle? If it’s the latter, sorting that out should be a priority. If you’re not sure how to do this, check out our post on Consumer Units
If you’ve no idea what that is, have a look at Electrical Safety First, who explain what they are, and why they are an extremely good thing to have. It’s important.
If you do have one, test it! Press the “T” or “Test” Button and make sure it’s still doing its job. A little maintenance never hurts.
What type of Consumer Unit do you have?
This probably seems a bit of strange question, but its good to know the answer. You may have listened to your Solicitor’s advice and had an electrical survey carried out as part of the buying process. If you did, you should know a bit more about this, and should have a certificate to refer to. If you’re not sure what the certificate actually tells you, go back to the electrician who carried out the inspection for you. They can explain. Failing that, you can always contact us, and we can explain it to you.
If you didn’t have an electrical inspection, check out our post on Consumer Units – Know your Stuff. There’s a bit of useful information there, explaining what you’e looking.
Look for a Smoke & Heat Detectors
Hopefully your new Home has Smoke and Heat Detectors installed. If they do, please give them a quick Test, by pressing the TEST button. Check the Expiry date while you’re there.
If you can’t find any Smoke/Heat Detectors, or they are past their expiry date, please make getting new ones installed a priority.
Check out our post on Smoke Detector Safety, if you need more information
And lastly……..Take a Meter Reading
You don’t want to be paying for the last occupants’ Electricity, so take a Meter reading and submit it to your supplier. Ideally, take a photo of the reading, so that you have a Time & Date Stamp to refer back to.
You’d be surprised how many people have no clue how to turn off their water. In fact, a lot of people who come on our DIY courses haven’t a clue either. I get it – it’s not something you think about until water’s gushing from somewhere it really shouldn’t be. But trust me, you don’t want to be on a frantic treasure hunt while the insurance claim’s ticking up.
1. Start Outside – Look for the Pavement cover
You’ll likely find a small cover near your front gate – that’s where the external stopcock hides. If you live in a flat, identifying which one’s yours can be a bit of a guessing game. Turning them off one by one works, but it might lead to some awkward neighbourly encounters (especially if they’re mid-shower).
It should look something like this. It might even have “Water” written on it:
Use a Flathead Screwdriver to flip the Top up
Use a Flathead Screwdriver to flip the Cover up
Don’t be fooled. This Cover turns anti-clockwise to open. Badly thought-out design, which isn’t installed any longer. Try twisting it, it might come up. If not contact your Water Supplier and get them to replace it.
Not uncommon if the Pavement has been resurfaced. Get it unstuck now, before you have an emergency, and can’t get the cover up.
Take a Meter Reading
If you find it, and it has a meter, take a meter reading. Again, I would take a photo, just for posterity.
Its also worth double-checking that it doesn’t keep running when you’ve turned the supply off. If it does, then you may be paying for someone else’s supply. Rare, but not impossible
The usual suspects are under the kitchen sink or in a utility room, but I’ve come across them in all sorts of weird places – under floorboards, hidden in random cupboards. Start with the obvious and work your way to the downright bizarre.
Check out our other post on Finding Your Stop Tap
Ask your new neighbours – they might have the same setup and could save you some time. If that doesn’t work, contact your water supplier – they might have a record of it. If you’re still out of luck, put it on your to-do list and get a plumber involved. They can install one in a more sensible spot.
Your gas meter will likely be near the front of the house, possibly in a little box outside. Make sure you can turn it off without too much faff. If it’s locked up, get yourself a meter box key – they’re cheap as chips at your local hardware store.
These tanks aren’t exactly discreet – you’ve probably tripped over them a few times already. Just double-check you know where the shut-off valve is, and maybe have a quick peek at security while you’re at it – oil theft’s a thing in the countryside.
Look for a Carbon Monoxide Detector
If you have a Gas or solid-fuel Boiler, or a multi-fuel stove, you also need to have a Carbon-Monoxide Detector.
If you can’t find one in your new home, please pop down to the nearest DIY/Hardware store/Supermarket & buy one NOW.
You may have no idea when the last service was carried out on these appliances.
You don’t want your first night in your new home to be your last. I know that sounds dramatic, but Carbon Monoxide is invisible. It doesn’t smell, and it can kill you very quickly.
You’ve just ticked off three essential checks that most people ignore until disaster strikes. Sure, dealing with a crisis is a crash course in home maintenance, but wouldn’t you rather be prepared than panicked?
If you’re renting, your landlord really should have told you all this. If they didn’t, maybe give them a gentle nudge – it’s in their best interests too, after all!
by Caroline Henn | Oct 2, 2024
by Caroline Henn | Sep 18, 2024
by Caroline Henn | Sep 18, 2024