Close to people | Stories from Bethel
Creative with steel and stone
Sparks fly and welding flames flicker, hammering, grinding, drilling and sawing at the workbenches. Unadorned pieces of sheet metal are turned into artistic and useful steel objects in the Gebal metalworking shop in Gevelsberg. They are made by people in particular social difficulties who are affected by long-term unemployment. For them, the Bethel workshop in the southern Ruhr area is an opportunity for further training and preparation for re-entry into the primary labour market.
Using pliers and a hammer, Heinz Eis moulds the ears of a dog figurine. An oval stone will later form the body. The head, legs and tail are made from sheet steel. Heinz Eis says that he has been working with metal since his youth. This was followed by 18 years working underground as a miner in a colliery in Saarland. "Until it closed at some point - and I couldn't find a new job," says the 57-year-old, looking back. Three years have passed since his last job. But having a daily structure is important, he says. "Before I sit at home for eight hours during the day, I prefer to come here because I enjoy the work," emphasises Heinz Eis.
Fixed daily structure, new perspectives
Alongside gardening and landscaping, the metalworking shop is one of two work and employment programmes at the Gebal Im Stift site. The participants include people who are at risk of homelessness, suffer from addiction or have other mental illnesses. The people usually come to Gebal via the job centre. Here they benefit from a fixed daily structure and are given the opportunity to discover new perspectives for themselves. Many quickly realise that the work does them good. The participants learn to look out for each other, help each other and take on responsibility.
"Before I sit at home for eight hours during the day, I prefer to come here because I enjoy my work."
The finished products from the workshop are sold. The range includes, for example, sculptures and animal figures, detailed car and motorbike models, display boards and decorative objects. On request, Gebal also produces customised individual pieces according to customer requirements.
Text: Marten Siegmann | Photo: Christian Weische
This story simply told
In Gevelsberg, Bethel operates its own metalworking shop. People with particular social difficulties work here. They are affected by long-term unemployment. In the metalworking shop, they produce artistic and useful items from steel. Heinz Eis likes the work. It is important to him to have a daily structure and meaningful work
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About the offer
Bethel.regional
Gebal
Im Stift 6
58285 Gevelsberg
Offers & services
Long-term unemployed people with social difficulties, people with disabilities, migrants, mentally ill people and people with addictions receive support in (re)integrating into the general labour market. They receive targeted offers tailored to their individual needs to improve their professional and personal skills and abilities, to boost their self-confidence and to recognise and develop their own strengths.
