Làmhan is a new charity based in Stirling, Scotland
We are dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional sewing and textile crafts, particularly heritage skills at risk of being lost. Through hands-on workshops and public education, we provide opportunities for people to develop sewing skills, fostering creativity, self-sufficiency, and a deeper appreciation for Scotland’s textile heritage.
Làmhan aims to become a leading hub for textile heritage education in Scotland, recognised for its high-quality training, commitment to sustainability, and efforts to preserve cultural and artistic traditions. We provide a welcoming space where individuals can learn, collaborate, and promote a more sustainable future through sewing, making, and mending.
We also believe that our work also supports better mental health, for all.
Stitching for the Soul: The Mental Health Benefits of Sewing in Small Groups
At Làmhan, we’ve always known about the quiet power of creativity—and nowhere is that more evident than in the simple, mindful act of sewing. Over the past few months, we’ve seen firsthand just how profoundly sewing can impact mental well-being, especially when done in the company of others.
Our recent eight-week parents and children workshops brought together families in Stirling for shared moments of creativity, conversation, and calm. Every participant in the programme reported an improvement in their mental health, with many describing the sessions as a rare chance to truly switch off from the pressures of everyday life—and particularly from screens and constant digital distractions.
One parent told us, “It was the only time in the week when I really felt present. No emails, no phones—just me and my daughter, learning and making something together.” Comments like this reflect what studies have shown for years: that hands-on activities like sewing can reduce anxiety, improve focus, and foster a sense of accomplishment and control.
But the benefits didn’t stop with the sewing itself. The group dynamic added another powerful layer. Sewing in small groups encourages natural conversation and peer support, creating a space that is both therapeutic and social. It’s in these shared silences, quiet laughs, and gentle guidance from one pair of hands to another that bonds form and confidence grows.
As we look ahead, we’re more committed than ever to expanding this work. Làmhan is currently working hard to establish a new permanent base for the charity right here in Stirling. This is why we are taking a break from teaching just now. Once our new studio is ready to open, we’ll be able to significantly increase the number of workshops, support more young people and families, and offer more regular programming for everyone.
Our goal is simple: to create a space where anyone—regardless of background or experience—can feel welcome, be creative, and leave feeling a little lighter than when they arrived.
