Welcome to Lochaber Hope's BrightMinds Hub.
BrightMinds is a local youth programme, created by young people for young people.
This project aims to transform mental health support for young people under 25 in Lochaber. BrightMinds, offers groups, events, and training to young people. We believe in their resilience and capabilities, striving to empower them with tools, resources, and connections to lead happy, healthy lives and inspire others. Additionally, we campaign for changes in mental health culture, policies, and practices to advocate for better support systems. By empowering youth and driving systemic improvements, we aim to create a lasting, widespread impact.
Youth Club!
Our Youth Club is open to young people aged 8 to 13!
At our Youth Club, young people will explore a new topic or theme each week, whether it is cooking, creative arts, physical activity or team skills.
Each night will consist of free time, structured activities, a group meal (be prepared for homemade pizzas, burrito bowls and jacket potatos!) and a group discussion around the theme of the week.
This group will run on Tuesdays, 16:30 till 18:00 at New Connections (Waverley House, PH33 6XX) and it is £1 per child to attend.
To attend, a membership form must be filled out. These can be found by clicking the link below!
Our youth group is resuming on Tuesday 15th September!!
You can sign-up for the new term using the form below, and we will be in touch.
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Youth Mentoring and Counselling
Youth Counselling or Mentoring is for any age upto 18!
We offer both mentoring and counselling services, each designed to support young people in different but equally important ways.
Mentoring is a friendly, goal-focused relationship where a young person is matched with a positive role model. Mentors offer encouragement, share life experiences, and help with things like setting goals, building confidence, and making positive choices. It’s more about guidance and personal development.
Counselling, on the other hand, is a professional and confidential service where young people can talk openly about their thoughts, feelings, and challenges with a trained counsellor. It focuses more on emotional wellbeing, helping to process difficult experiences, manage stress or anxiety, and build coping skills.
While mentoring looks forward and helps with planning for the future, counselling looks inward to support mental and emotional health. Together, these services can give young people the tools and support they need to grow, feel good about themselves, and take on life with confidence.
Youth Advisory Board
The Youth Advisory Board is open to ages 13+
Our Youth Advisory Board meets for a few hours each month to share ideas, give feedback, and shape the future of the BrightMinds Project.
Members take part in real decision-making — from helping plan events and reviewing programmes to creating youth-friendly materials and leading peer projects. You'll also have the chance to represent your peers, build leadership skills, and get involved in creative campaigns, community displays, and even staff interviews. It’s a brilliant way to make your voice heard, develop confidence, and contribute to something that truly makes a difference.
If you would like to join or find out more, email us and we will get back to you!
Youth Development
Youth Development offers training, courses and skills based learning for young people upto 25 years old.
Our youth development strand offers young people the chance to grow in confidence, build life skills, and support their mental well-being through volunteering, creative workshops, and accredited training. Whether it's becoming a peer mentor through our SQA Level 4 programme or taking part in fun, hands-on activities, BrightMinds empowers young people to connect, contribute, and thrive in a supportive environment.
To find out more, get in touch with us directly, look through our events catalogue, or keep an eye on our Facebook page for upcoming opportunities and events. To see what trainings we can offer, scroll down the page!
Weekly Activity Groups
Discover our current events and activities and find out how to get involved. They are free to attend and exist as opportunities for you to meet like-minded people and maybe try something fun!
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New Ideas Welcome
Got an idea for an activity group? Do you represent a local business or organisation that would like to collaborate with us in this project? Get in touch and let us know!
Our meetings, events and groups are hosted at Lochaber Hope Community Hub on the Fort William High Street.
2026 EVENTS
No events at the moment
Some of the trainings that are available to you...
Facilitating an Activity or Group
Is volunteering something you enjoy? Or have you never tried it before, and would like to give it a go? Then you might be the perfect person to help us deliver these activities and groups! Get in touch with the Bright Minds team today if this is something you would like to do, either for an existing group we run or for a new group you would like to start!
Lochaber Hope's Mentor Training
This 2-day course will gain you an SCQF Level 4 certificate in mentorship and start you on your journey as a positive influence in your community. Following this course, you will have gained skills in active listening and creating a therapeutic environment. You will meet other like-minded people and through group discussion learn about the power of mentorship, and as a result come away with an entirely new set of tools for supporting others. This course is the next step up from the Peer Support seminar, moving on from the shared experienced and onto the mentor/mentee support structure. Following this course, you can be added to our growing roster of mentors and be paired with a mentee as soon as you are ready. This course is available to anyone at any age.
Click HERE to register your interest in this training!
Mental Health First Aid and SafeTALK
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a 12 hour course that will teach you the basic principles of providing help in a crisis until professional help is available. You will learn about asking appropriate questions and how to practice listening and responding to a person in need of support. You will also learn about some of the common mental health issues that exist, and some of the potential causes of these issues.
SafeTALK is a 4 hour course that covers suicide awareness and the basics of suicide prevention. You will learn how to see the signs that someone may be suicidal, and what steps you can take to get that person safe.
Both qualifications will be delivered by external organisations that work in partnership with Lochaber Hope, and so prices, venues and timings may vary.
Click HERE to register your interest in this training!
ASIST Suicide Intervention
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a 2-day workshop designed to give participants the skills to identify a person who is potentially suicidal, and what steps to take to getting that person safe and on a track with recovery. These courses are facilitated by experienced professionals, with the well-being and safety of the participants being their number 1 priority. This course builds well on the SafeTALK workshop, however there is no requirement to complete this workshop before enrolling. ASIST is beneficial for those in teaching, management, social care and other people-centred roles, however it is absolutely open to anyone.
Click HERE to register your interest in this training!
To find out more or to get involved get in touch!
Opening Hours
Waverley House, High Street, Fort William, PH33 6XX
Mon - Fri
11:00 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday
Closed
Call 01397 704 836
Sunday
Closed