Two men holding a large carved wooden sign with the words "Bristol Tree" and illustrations of a hot air balloon, a dinosaur, and a tree, in a lush green outdoor setting.
Contact us

Our vision is a world where people and nature look after each other. We nurture belonging & joy in the natural world through traditional crafts.

We are a values-driven organisation, with all profit used to fund free-to-access programmes with young people affected by systemic obstacles, adults in recovery, refugees/asylum seekers and the general public.

Four men woodworking under a large outdoor canopy with trees in the background.

Booking one of our workshops or events enables us to offer accessible craft programmes in nature for those who need it most

  • We are a small not-for-profit organisation using traditional crafts to bring people together in nature. We create welcoming, joyful spaces where people can ‘learn by doing’, and almost without noticing, come away with new skills, new connections and renewed confidence to thrive in their outside lives.

    We work mainly with groups of people marginalised by mainstream society. However, we recognise that everyone shares the same basic needs, and so offer opportunities for all to access creativity in nature. 

    We fundraise through grants, ticketed craft workshops/events and team away days.

    • We run free-to-access craft and nature-based programmes to support those facing systemic obstacles.

    • We offer tailored one-to-one mentoring & training to young people facing mental health challenges, helping them become environmental leaders in their communities.

    • We run workshops and team away days, where we teach traditional crafts in nature.

    • We host events open to all, such as Community Sundays and Stories in the Shavings summer concerts.

Impact

97%

feel more

connected

to nature

88%

feel their

mental health

has improved

98%

feel more social

belonging

350

spoons

& spatulas

carved

1,876

people

supported

280

free-to-access

sessions

What do we do?

Young boy outdoors holding a yellow abstract painting, smiling at the camera, with trees and a white fence in the background.

Community Work

Our free-to-access programmes offer an inclusive, nurturing space for those facing systemic obstacles to grow skills, confidence and connection with nature.

Current Programmes:

If you’re an organisation interested in working with us or would like to discuss possible partnership opportunities, please get in touch!

learn more
A group of people gathered around a wooden table inside a large tent outdoors, with logs and greenery in the background, engaged in a discussion.

Team Building

team building page

Connect and get to know one another outside of the workspace. We offer a blend of nature and craft-based activities which anyone can get stuck into, ensuring that everyone comes away from the day rejuvenated and uplifted.


A wooden spoon, a small wooden bowl, and a green item resembling a boat or leaf are placed on a tree stump. The items are made of wood and have a natural finish.

Workshops

workshops page

Carve a spoon, a spatula or a bowl during one of our weekend courses running from March to December!

Two men stand on a small stage outdoors under a red canopy with string lights, smiling and looking at a phone, while two women in the foreground, blurred, watch.

Events

stories in the shavings

Join us for our summer concert series of story, song & merriment. View upcoming gigs here.

Two wooden bowls and two wooden spoons placed on a rustic wooden surface, with one bowl resting on a tree trunk slice.
A rural outdoor scene with a makeshift shelter and small wooden structures surrounded by green trees and bushes.
A green tent set up in a meadow with tall grasses and colorful wildflowers, under a blue sky with some clouds.
A young man wearing a grey cap and yellow shirt working on a black object outdoors, with a blurred person in a blue shirt behind him.
A man wearing a white Bristol Tree Craft t-shirt is woodworking outdoors, shaping a piece of wood with a chisel and mallet, with lush green trees in the background.
A group of people sitting on a colorful rug outdoors, exchanging a peeled tangerine hand to hand. Some individuals wear floral crowns and are surrounded by flowers and natural elements.
Person cutting purple cabbage with a large knife on a wooden cutting board, with potatoes and carrots nearby.

COMMUNITY SUNDAYS

Free, joyous and open to all! Try your hand at traditional crafts, enjoy a meal cooked over a crackling fire or just relax and enjoy being in a beautiful spot.

Next event: Sunday 14th June!

Two women engaging in a sawing activity outdoors on sunny day, one standing on a tree stump holding a hand saw, the other pushing the saw through a log on a sawhorse, with green trees and blue sky in the background.
community sundays page
  • People carving wood with chisels and mallets at a woodworking workshop, with children observing in the background.
  • A young boy with glasses and a camouflage jacket sits on the ground holding a plate of mashed potatoes topped with red sauce and vegetables, sticking out his tongue playfully.
  • Children and adults sitting inside a tent on a colorful rug, with books, notebooks, and flowers around, some children looking at the camera and others engaged with the adults, who are talking and laughing.
  • Wooden carvings and crafts on a table, including bowls, figurines, a sign with 'ROB' engraved, domino pieces, and some painted wood pieces.
  • Two women using a large saw to cut a log outdoors during the daytime. One woman stands on a tree stump holding the saw, while the other woman pushes from the other side. Green trees and blue sky are visible in the background.
  • A group of people gathered outdoors on a carpeted ground, engaging in a ritual or ceremony involving flowers. One person is handing over a small object to another, with floral arrangements and greenery around.
  • Person slicing purple cabbage on a wooden cutting board, with potatoes and carrots nearby.
  • Man sitting outdoors, drawing a colorful fireworks scene on black paper with a white pencil, on a wooden table, surrounded by leaves.

  • 'I only came to the playground today in case you guys might be here."

    — Green Machine participant, age 11

  • "It's made me feel more positive about the things I can do"

    — Nature Craft Connection participant

  • "This is the first time enjoying a new skill for me, so im excited"

    —Woodcraft, Wellbeing and Wilding participant

  • "I have had a tough few months and withdrawn from social stuff. I don't look forward to things but this is the thing every week I look forward to doing.“

    - Woodcraft, Wellbeing and Wilding participant

  • "A very big step forward, my brain is buzzing… I just can’t wait to do something with this knowledge and share it with other people."

    - Green Leader Scheme participant

Meet the Team

  • A young man with short dark hair, a beard, and a big smile, wearing a yellow T-shirt with 'Bristol Tree Craft' written on it, standing outdoors on a cloudy day with trees in the background.

    Hugh

    Co-Founder

  • A woman with curly hair standing outdoors in front of green trees, wearing a brown turtleneck and a half brown, half blue coat.

    Amber

    Green Leader Scheme - Programme Lead

  • A man smiling outdoors wearing a red beanie and navy blue sweater, holding a piece of wood.

    Ben

    Co-Founder

  • A woman with wavy brown hair and a septum piercing smiling outdoors, with rocky terrain in the background and a light blue sky.

    Zu

    Marketing & Advocacy Lead