Creating Space for Everyone – Heimstätten Wil Foundation

Interview: Catherine (råvi organics) and Michael (Stiftung Heimstätten Wil)

For our new skincare line at råvi organics, I designed a Gua Sha tool that stands out with its unique shape — carefully crafted to target the face, neck, and scalp. From the beginning, I envisioned the tool being produced locally in Switzerland, using regional wood and traditional craftsmanship. Equally important to me were sustainability and inclusivity. When I reached out to the Heimstätten Wil Foundation, I was thrilled to learn from Michael that a long-term collaboration would be possible. What followed was a truly meaningful partnership — one rooted in shared values and a deep commitment to creating something beautiful and lasting. In this interview, we reflect on the process, the challenges, and the shared joy of bringing this special project to life.

Catherine: Can you briefly tell us what the Heimstätten Wil Foundation stands for and the vision behind it?
Michael: Since 1994, the Heimstätten Wil Foundation has been committed to enabling participation and self-determination for people with disabilities. Our vision is an inclusive society where every individual finds their place—regardless of their abilities. We create living and working environments where people can grow, develop, and truly feel at home.

Catherine: You’ve been supporting people with disabilities for over three decades. What does that look like in everyday life?
Michael: In day-to-day terms, it means offering more than just accommodation or employment. We provide housing, workplaces, and daily structures that are tailored to the individual needs of our clients. We focus on personal development, social inclusion, and respectful interaction. It’s about creating opportunities for meaningful participation in every aspect of life. Our dedicated team brings not only expertise, but a genuine passion for what they do.

Catherine: What is personally important to you in working with clients?
Michael: It’s incredibly important to meet people at eye level. Every person has their own strengths, wishes, and needs—and recognizing and supporting those is at the core of our approach. For me, it’s not just about offering support, but about creating a shared everyday life. It’s about working together, setting common goals, and accomplishing tasks as a team. That’s where true connection and empowerment happen.

Catherine: What developments or projects is the foundation planning for the coming years?
Michael: We’re continuously working on evolving and expanding our services—with the goal of supporting and empowering people with disabilities in the best possible way. A key focus is on strengthening our collaboration with external partners to bring meaningful new projects to life and open up innovative areas of work. Another major priority is sustainability—both ecological and social. We aim to make our processes and products even more resource-efficient while creating long-term opportunities and perspectives for our clients. Digitalization is also playing an increasingly important role. It offers exciting new possibilities in care, communication, and workplace design—but also presents the challenge of bridging traditional practices with modern technologies. In our woodworking shop, for instance, we strive to balance classic craftsmanship with digital innovation. Our goal is to preserve what has proven valuable while staying open to the new.

Catherine: What challenges are currently shaping your work—or may become more pressing in the future?
Michael: Social change and the growing demands for inclusion and participation continue to present new challenges. Our aim is not just to accompany our clients, but to offer them real opportunities—whether in everyday life, at work, or in education. One area gaining increasing importance is vocational training. In our carpentry workshop, we currently offer apprenticeships for certified carpenters (EFZ) and interior design craftspeople. To provide such opportunities, we must operate very close to the mainstream labor market—in terms of quality, processes, and the professional skills of our staff. It takes professionals who not only master their craft but are also willing to pass on their knowledge and guide others on their journey. This combination of social commitment and professional training is both a challenge and a great opportunity.

Catherine: What makes you a special place to live and work for people with disabilities?
Michael: We create spaces where people feel safe, valued, and seen. Our clients are actively involved in decision-making processes. We also offer a wide variety of work opportunities—from traditional crafts and gastronomy to creative projects. Individuality and active participation are core values for us. Our structures are flexible, and our services are diverse. A standout aspect is our commitment to sustainable partnerships and creative projects—we love thinking outside the box.

Catherine: How did you experience the collaboration with råvi organics?
Michael: Very positively—it was a true partnership on equal footing. We were able to co-create, share ideas, and be creative together. We deeply value this kind of collaboration.

Catherine: What does it mean to you to work with a young, sustainable brand like råvi?
Michael: This is exactly the kind of partnership we’re looking for. Sustainability is a key focus for us as well. Anyone can manufacture to spec—but to co-develop a product, experiment with it, refine it—that’s where our strengths shine. We especially enjoyed that it involved a wood product—a material we love working with. We’re happy to support young brands and look forward to a long-term, sustainable partnership.

Catherine: What kind of feedback did you receive internally about the collaboration or the Gua Sha project?
Michael: The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Many found it exciting to see what can be made from wood — the Gua Sha was a surprising and inspiring product for many of our team members.

Catherine: How did you approach our unique design and production of the Gua Sha tool?
Michael: We followed the design template provided by råvi. First, we sourced the right type of wood from a regional supplier. From the raw timber boards, we cut long strips, which were then planed and sanded. These strips served as the base for cutting out the Gua Sha shapes. Finally, each piece was finely sanded and treated with a natural oil finish—all done with great care and by hand.

Catherine: Were there any particular challenges during production?
Michael: Yes, the shaping process was quite demanding. It took several attempts to strike the right balance between functionality, feel, and aesthetics. In the end, the sanding made all the difference—whether or not the tool feels comfortable on the skin depends heavily on the final finish.

Catherine: What was most important to you during the production process?
Michael: Quality and how the product feels in the hand. It shouldn’t just look beautiful—it should feel good to use and be built to last. We wanted to create something people would genuinely enjoy using, something that communicates value and care.

Catherine: Is there a particular moment or aspect of the project that stands out in your memory?
Michael: Absolutely — the moment we received the project inquiry. We actually had to Google: What exactly is a Gua Sha tool and how is it used? The big question was: Can we even make something like this and have it work properly? We also had to consider practical details — like whether the type of wood or the surface treatment would affect the skin. It was a product very different from traditional carpentry, which made it all the more exciting. For our workshop, it was the perfect project: technically challenging, creative, and full of room for exploration. We love taking on projects like this.