Amy from our team recently joined Growing Sudley CIC to experience their final forest school session, which was delivered thanks to £29,320 of funding over two years from the Liverpool ONE Foundation.

Growing Sudley CIC was established in 2017 by a group of dedicated volunteers with a shared goal: to bring an abandoned garden back to life and transform it into a thriving community space.

Today, the organisation offers forest school sessions, nature therapy and a range of support services for disadvantaged children and adults. All activities are free or low-cost to remove barriers to access, meaning the group relies heavily on grant funding to make their work possible.

We spoke with Lucy, Project Director, who shared how her background working in schools helped shape the project. She explained that while some children struggle in traditional classroom environments, they often flourish outdoors, taking on leadership roles, building confidence and quite literally getting their hands dirty through practical learning.

To finish the day, small gifts were given to each child, along with a message reminding them that they are unique. An important reminder for children who may face challenges in school due to bereavement or additional needs, but who have so much to offer the people and communities around them.

If you’d like to learn more about Growing Sudley and the inspiring work they’re doing, visit their website below.