Athena Stonecare has launched a new CPD workshop aimed at demystifying the care and maintenance of natural stone for designers, suppliers and project teams.

The one-hour session, accredited by the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID), is built around the company’s Athena Aftercare guidance and is designed to give specifiers practical, straightforward advice they can pass on to clients from day one.

Director Becca says the motivation behind the CPD is simple: “Maintaining natural stone doesn’t need to be difficult. In fact, we are so sure that we created a workshop that divulges all of our stone care secrets.”

Athena Stonecare has long focused on making stone easier to live with, without constant reliance on professional restoration. “Every time that we complete a restoration treatment we’re asked the same question: how do I keep it looking like this?” Becca explains. “For many years we have been providing guidance to our own clients on how to clean and maintain their stone surfaces. At the end of a project, each client is sent a QR code that leads to a hidden hub on our website dedicated to aftercare.”

The company believes that much of the damage it is called in to repair could have been avoided with the right information at the outset. “Truthfully, many could have avoided needing professional stone restoration services if they’d had the right guidance at the beginning,” Becca says.

That thinking led to the creation of Athena Aftercare in 2022, a printed and digital guide covering stone care for all types of surfaces, from installation onwards. Now distributed by a number of leading UK stone suppliers and fabricators, the guide has become a reference point for specifiers who want reassurance that their clients can look after stone properly over the long term.

The new CPD brings that content into a live, interactive format. For the first time, Athena Stonecare is delivering Athena Aftercare as a one-hour webinar, described as a “masterclass” in everyday stone care. It is aimed at stone suppliers, interior designers, project managers and anyone involved in specifying or working with natural stone.

Becca says the session is structured to mirror the real decisions designers face: “During the session we outline some key considerations for stone care that should be made before choosing to use stone. We also explore the different types of sealants and protection for stone. We then outline simple steps for stone care that can be shared with clients.”

Cleaning and protection are a particular focus, with the emphasis on prevention rather than cure. “Making sure that stone is correctly cleaned is the key to ensuring that it will stand the test of time,” Becca adds. “A few easy preventative measures can make the biggest difference with natural stone.” The aim, she says, is that by the end of the hour, attendees will feel more confident advising clients and helping them make informed decisions about using stone.

The next Athena Stonecare CPD webinar takes place on 6th February at 12.30pm. 

Places can be booked by emailing info@athenastonecare.co.uk. 

They are also offering bespoke workshops for teams, which can be arranged by contacting Athena Stonecare on 07824 193 339.