The Duchess of Edinburgh swapped royal protocol for power tools during a hands-on visit to a pioneering social enterprise in Oxford.
A Hands-On Royal Engagement
On Wednesday, Sophie demonstrated her practical side at the RAW Workshop in Blackbird Leys, confidently taking control of a heavy-duty Makita drill. Guided by 15-year-old student Alfie, the Duchess was pictured lifting the power tool with apparent ease before attempting to use it herself.
The visit provided a striking contrast to traditional royal engagements, showing Sophie's willingness to engage directly with the workshop's activities. RAW Workshop stands as Europe's largest social enterprise, specialising in designing and manufacturing high-quality commercial furniture for both indoor and outdoor use.
Supporting Community Transformation
During her tour, the Duchess met with team members from RAW Potential, the company's youth work charity, learning about their education services and connecting with students at their work benches. She gained insight into the organisation's innovative Harvesting model, which focuses on refurbishing and recycling clients' existing furniture.
The social impact of RAW Workshop is particularly significant, with more than 85% of RAW employees having faced disadvantage, prejudice or barriers to work. These challenges have included homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues, making the enterprise's work crucial for community rehabilitation and support.
Extending the Royal Visit
Sophie's community engagement extended beyond the workshop to include visits to the Windale Community Hub, also in Blackbird Leys, and Ronald McDonald House at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. At the community hub, she helped pack hampers and enjoyed a hot drink in a takeaway cup while sitting and chatting with people using the community space.
The series of visits highlighted the Duchess's ongoing commitment to understanding and supporting grassroots organisations that make tangible differences in people's lives across different community settings.
