Bethany Christian Trust sell charity trees at Mannofield Church For one charity though, the Christmas tree symbolises something further. Hope for those in need this winter. For almost a decade, the Bethany Christian Trust has set up centres across Scotland for their social enterprise Caring Christmas Trees. Offering a range of sizes, families can purchase Scottish-grown sustainable Nordmann firs in advance to decorate their homes - with funds raised going directly to people in the town they were purchased in. Ali Elder, regional coordinator for the Christian charity, said: "It's a really good way to help people share the Christmas cheer by helping those less fortunate as themselves. For us that would be people who are potentially homeless and on the streets in Aberdeen, so it's a fantastic opportunity to help those who are marginalised at this time of year. Each centre has its own specific needs - the Edinburgh project helps fund a night shelter that runs six months of the year - and in Aberdeen, the focus is placed on helping people get back into work in partnership with Aberdeen City Council. Ali explained: "Some of those people may have houses, but may not and getting those people into employment is a really good way of getting them on the housing list and getting through that system quicker. We will be looking to do that through our drop in projects in Aberdeen and also through the one-to-one support we provide. Offering those in need the tools they require to get back into the workplace, funds raised through Caring Christmas Trees helps fund qualification courses that line up with the SQA, bolstering a project user's CV and offering the support needed to go back to work. This year, the Caring Christmas Tree team will also be supported by volunteers who use the service, who will be given soft skills training to help hand out the charitable trees. The project certainly isn't all talk either. Ali elaborated on the experience of a service user, who went to the Bethany Christian Trust after failing to turn up to a work placement. The 13 week sanction he was given shattered his confidence and made him worry about losing his home. Ali said: "He was really low, came to our project and through working with us he was able to get that confidence back when he felt like he was going to pack it all in and lose his house. We were able to help him stabilise, get him into volunteer opportunities and he's doing really well and looking to gain further employment. As well as giving vulnerable Aberdonians a helping hand, Caring Christmas Trees also gives people the chance to give back to charity through the simple act of tree-buying. Ali said: "I was speaking to a customer, who I met on Sunday, who bought a tree and the added element of money raised going to a place where there was a direct need was a really positive thing. For the money to go somewhere where it would make a positive impact makes them feel really chuffed. There is a limited amount of time left for those interested in purchasing a Caring Christmas Tree, with the deadline for orders December 9. Trees can be ordered from the Caring Christmas Tree website or by calling 0845 111 8733 before being picked up at Mannofield Parish Church on December 12 and 13. Shoppers can also pick up a stand or add an extra donation to their order and when arriving to pick up their tree, . Ali added: "Our main mission is to give homeless and vulnerable people a future and that really ties in with the Christian values that we have, but also the values that everyone has at Christmas - that it is not just about themselves but about looking out for your neighbours and giving people hope."