National Saturday Club
Làmhan has officially become the second centre to offer the National Saturday Club in Scotland and we will be starting this important work in September. We are really excited to welcome young people aged 13 to 16 into our new vibrant, creative space!
Thanks to generous support from the National Lottery’s Awards for All Fund, this incredible opportunity will be completely free for participants and will run over the course of 30 weeks on Saturday afternoons. Our club will centre around Craft and Making, giving young people a unique chance to explore their creativity, develop new skills, and connect with others in a supportive and inspiring environment.
What is the National Saturday Club?
The National Saturday Club is a nationwide initiative that offers young people access to high-quality creative learning experiences at no cost. Operating in partnership with cultural institutions, universities, colleges, and community centres across the UK, the Club provides young people with the tools, guidance, and space to unlock their potential, build confidence, and consider future career pathways.
Each Saturday Club runs for a full academic year and includes expert-led sessions, masterclasses with leading professionals, national events, and even the chance to showcase work at a celebratory exhibition in London.
What we will be doing
Lamhan’s Saturday Club will focus on Craft and Design, making it a perfect fit for young people who love to explore ideas with their hands, experiment with materials, and learn by doing.
Over 30 weeks, participants will work with skilled designers, makers, and artists. They will explore traditional and contemporary craft techniques, experiment with materials like textiles, wood, ceramics, and mixed media. Taking part in group projects and individual creations is a key feature of the club which will help young people to develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. Our main aim is to help young people build confidence and creative identity.
Our draft schedule (might change!)
Weeks 1 - 6: Introduction to sewing, embroidery and patchwork
Weeks 7 - 10: Ceramics
Weeks 11 - 15: Fabric creation - weaving, felting, and dyeing
Weeks 16 - 19: Knitting
Weeks 20 - 27: Introduction to Kiltmaking
Weeks 20 - 30: Final project preparation
Why We Are Doing This
The teenage years are a crucial time for young people to explore their interests and develop their sense of self. Unfortunately, many do not have access to creative opportunities outside school — either due to financial barriers or lack of local provision. We know firsthand how important creativity is for young and old alike, especially in our trying world which we live in. Our founder, Jo, has been inspired to set up this club for young people as this is exactly the sort of club that she would have loved to have been available for her own kids when they were teenagers (Jo’s daughter, Zoe, was a pupil at local McLaren High School and is now one of the youngest professional traditional kiltmakers in Scotland).
By becoming a National Saturday Club centre, Làmhan is helping to bridge the creative access gap and support local young people while we nurture the next generation of designers, makers, and artists. Again, talking from personal experience, we know firsthand how important it is to offer this club to our young people free of charge. We don’t want anyone who wants to learn excluded because of how much something costs.
The support from the National Lottery’s Community Fund has made this possible, and we are deeply grateful for their belief in the transformative power of creativity and community investment.
How to Get Involved
If you are a young person aged 13–16 — or know someone who is — we encourage you to register your interest in joining the Làmhan Saturday Club today by filling in the form on the National Saturday Club website (link)