VIDEO: Handcrafted 'trees of Hope' raise funds for mental health support

For Stuart, the final creations are only part of the initiative’s goal.

He said: “The products we make are fantastic but it’s all about the people. It’s about bringing them out of their shells and helping them discover their talent.”

Stuart explained that the studio prides itself on being an inclusive space where people can engage in open conversation and escape their worries.

He added: “When you come in all you can think about is the woodwork, you have to forget everything else because you need to concentrate on not chopping your fingers off!”

Iain Miller has been volunteering at the workshop for three years and has been heavily involved in this year’s tree-making project.

He said: “I’ve always fancied myself as a bit of a DIY expert, but I haven’t really got any skills to back that up. I just like to have the tools and pretend, so it’s good coming in here where you’ve got Stuart who can actually show you how to use them properly and get some good results.”

He added that working round the table with others assembling the Christmas trees has been a good opportunity to meet other volunteers from the local community who range from high school students to elderly residents.

With all their different projects, participants strive to reduce waste, upcycle and reuse and volunteers have used wood from a Yew tree which had fallen down near Belford Hospital for multiple creations. Stuart is also grateful to local businesses Jewson, BSW Timber and LBS Fort William for donating materials. 

Loki Boeufgras-Aliphat discovered the workshop after moving to Fort William last year, and as well as helping out with the trees, is currently making dangly fish earrings out of donated bicycle tubing. 

Through the process of cutting and decorating the stretchy rubber is “finicky”, Loki enjoys going to the workshop to destress, adding: “It’s a very nice safe space and I get to do all sorts of creative stuff and work with my hands.”

Watch as Loki makes some upcycled earrings below.

Stuart’s latest masterpiece is a wooden action figure which he made out of recycled floorboards and ‘Franklin’ will be raffled off at various festive markets in Lochaber this month.

Stuart encourages anyone that wants to have a go at woodwork, glass painting, or other types of art to give the workshop a go. If you are interested in getting involved you can contact Lochaber Hope on Facebook or email Stuart at: stuart.sanders@lochaberhope.org.uk 

The Hope trees and other items can be bought online on the Hope Lochaber website at: www.lochaberhope.org.uk/ They are also being sold at New Connections community centre on Fort William High Street.