Nurture Community CIC, alongside its 36 community partners and corporate supporters, has delivered or supported over 134 inclusive events in 2024. These have been offered for the local community – across Lichfield and the surrounding areas – to encourage intergenerational community cohesion, reduce loneliness and improve mental health. With art as a vehicle, we have ensured that all are adaptable to the needs of the participants and have added value to the wellbeing of the beneficiaries across all abilities and ages. Below is an overview of seven key projects delivered in 2024, along with their impact on the local community. Not only have these projects and activities supported the community, but they have also developed skills and confidence in the volunteers, many of whom were out of work or new to the area, and have built transferable skills and established relationships. Festive Fun Paddle As a social enterprise, we actively work to diversify our income-generating strategies, while amplifying awareness of not only our CIC but also other social enterprises, charities and community-based businesses. In December 2024, a collaborative activity-based fundraiser was run between Nurture, Omega Outdoor Adventures and Ruby's Yard CIC. A festive themed Santa SUP event was held, where people dressed up while taking part in a Stand-Up Paddleboard event of either 2.5 km, 5km, or 10km. In true Nurture vision, it was an intergenerational event, with participants ranging in age from 8 to 64 years. An after-event questionnaire provided some impactful feedback. Nearly 30% had taken part to raise funds and help others, whilst 20% were there to be part of the paddling community and/or their love of paddling as a sport. All participants wanted to have more paddling opportunities at Ruby's Yard in the future, while 50% would be interested in upskilling as a paddleboard instructor to support similar activities in the future. Half had borrowed a paddle craft from Omega, highlighting the desire to take part, but not always having the availability of suitable equipment. Funds were raised through ticket sales, participant sponsorship and local business sponsors. In total, £1,280 was raised through the sold-out attendance, plus online donations. Lichfield Arts Fuse Festival Nurture Community CIC was part of the 2024 Lichfield Fuse Festival, providing free inclusive family activities. This was made possible thanks to the voluntary support of our community partners and sponsors David Wilson Homes, Barratt Homes, Veolia and We Love Lichfield. Approximately 16,000 from the immediate and local area came along to the festival at Beacon Park, for a celebration of inclusivity and accessibility, supported by Lichfield Arts. Accessible Forest School with Little Sprouts Forest School The Accessible Forest School Project brought the wonders of outdoor learning to the Hummingbird Class from Rocklands School, a SEN school in Lichfield. Generously sponsored by Zest Education and expertly delivered by Little Sprouts Forest School, this programme offered a series of hands-on, child-led, play-based learning sessions for students with special educational needs. Every month, from February to July 2024, Beacon Park became a classroom for 14 children aged 7-10 years, with a range of needs including autism, global delay, ADHD, and communication difficulties. The project not only introduced the school to forest school concepts but also revitalised underused areas of the park. Students (and their teachers) engaged in a variety of activities, from exploring nature and using forest school tools to swinging, climbing, and developing outdoor skills. The impact was profound, as one teacher noted: "The Forest School sessions were ideal for these children as they allowed them to explore an environment many of them are not used to. The children really loved the sessions, they looked forward to each one and asked about them, wanting to know when the next one was." Parents were thrilled to witness their children's growth firsthand during the final session. A staff member shared: "Parents loved that they could join the final session and were surprised by the confidence the children showed. Many have commented on how confident their children have become and how they are wanting to do more things and try out new things for themselves." The project opened doors for families who often face challenges in accessing such experiences: "As our children have challenges with behaviours and reacting to their environment, this sometimes prevents parents from taking them out to new places. These sessions allowed the children to experience something different and broaden their experiences." The school reported numerous benefits, including: - Increased skills and confidence in children - Exposure to positive male role models - Enhanced independence and curiosity - Opportunities for learning in a different environment This successful collaboration between Zest Education, Little Sprouts Forest School, and Rocklands School has not only enriched the lives of these special children but also paved the way for more inclusive outdoor learning experiences in the future. We were delighted when Zest asked to sponsor a similar project for 2025 (to be seen in future reporting). SEND Softplay Thanks to the generosity of the local community and fundraising through the Santa Dash and Tesco Communities Book Donation in 2023, we have been able to fund SEN sessions for the local community. Our final session was a partnership with the students and families at Rocklands, who had an exclusive session at soft play at Little Green Frog Cafe. During our conversations and collaborations with the local community, it was found that many local families with additional needs felt unsure about taking their children to local family-based activities. The fundraising gave exclusive access to this space, which is often too stimulating and busy for many of the children to enjoy. Through this pilot, it gave the staff of this local soft play a chance to understand more about making their space fully accessible, whilst providing a space for the parents and staff to engage and support each in safe, calm space. In 2024, 18 students and five staff members participated in this final session; the funding from the previous year’s charity activities covered the “stay and play” costs. In addition to this, the cafe owners donated refreshments for the group to enjoy. “Our visit to Little Green Frog soft play provided a valuable and enriching experience for our children, particularly those with outcomes focused on physical and sensory development. The safe, stimulating environment offered essential support for movement, coordination, and sensory exploration, helping children to regulate, engage, and thrive. Alongside the physical benefits, the provision of drinks and cookies created a warm, welcoming atmosphere that encouraged social interaction and communication. This visit allowed our children to build friendships, practice turn-taking, and develop confidence in a real-world community setting. Being part of this local provision strengthened our connection with the wider community and gave our children meaningful opportunities to feel included, supported, and celebrated. The soft play experience not only supported key developmental outcomes but also helped foster a sense of belonging and joy.” Teacher Unfortunately, the ownership of this space changed in 2024, but the learnings from this set of events were passed onto the new owner, who has taken these accessible needs on board when re-designing and launching their venture, by including a sensory room. Christmas Art Outreach and Charity Project Our main corporate sponsor, Zest Education, funded the cost of the Christmas Outreach for 2024. 215 people across eight intergenerational groups including Care Homes, Mainstream and SEN Schools, Brownie and Guide Groups, Citizens Advice and Dementia Groups, created eco-friendly Christmas decorations during group visits, in November a selection of these were then displayed in Lichfield Cathedral’s Charity Festive Tree event during December and early January 2025. Alongside this, in partnership with Lichfield Garrick, we encouraged the community to donate gifts for those staying in domestic violence (dv) refuges over the festive period. After discussion with the Buddy Bag Foundation (BBF), it was decided to ask for either books or vouchers, to enable all age groups and parents to be supported. This campaign ran from 1st December to 12th January 2025 and collected 30 gifts to be distributed across local DV refuges. Awareness of The BBF charity and DV support was also shared through this campaign, and a Press Released shared by the Garrick. Growing Communities 2024 The intergenerational gardening initiative, the Growing Communities Project, entered an exciting new chapter in 2024. This project was made possible by the support of Transition Lichfield, Lichfield City Council, and EnviroGrant, which provided eight sessions per group. Groups either had 14 or 30 spaces, depending on the needs of their beneficiaries and the staffing ratios required. In total, 944 spaces were allocated to the five groups and filled throughout the project delivery time. This equates to 40 hours of sessions. Growing Communities continues to bring together people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities through the shared joy of growing, creating, and cooking. Our 2024 programme began in partnership with the Spires Care Home, where our dedicated volunteers, including Community Partners Brand Remarkable and Worship Worth Experience, returned to work alongside residents. Together, we chose, grew, nurtured, and tasted a fantastic array of produce, while lovingly caring for the plants, herbs, and vegetables first sown during our 2023 pilot. During 2024, we were able to expand this delivery to include MHA Communities South Staffordshire (groups to reduce isolation in the over 60s), Rocklands School, Fradley Park School and Streethay School (a mix of SEN and mainstream schools). We’ve witnessed, firsthand, the profound well-being benefits that come from connecting communities who might not otherwise meet. Residents and volunteers alike have grown in confidence, formed new friendships, and felt a renewed sense of purpose. By reducing isolation - particularly among older adults - and fostering genuine intergenerational connections, we’re helping to build a more inclusive and resilient community. The Growing Communities Project also champions sustainable food practices, waste reduction, recycling, and re-use. By revitalising neglected spaces and transforming them into vibrant, productive gardens, we’re not only growing food but also growing hope and pride in our local area. During the Fuse Festival (see the Lichfield Arts Fuse Festival Case Study), the Growing Communities Project was represented through the Sensory Dreamcatcher activity. Twenty participants from local families crafted dreamcatchers from natural materials, engaging all the senses and sparking creativity. Our themed weeks - centred on “Bringing together isolated communities in Staffordshire through the love of gardening, creating and cooking” - have become a highlight, culminating in an 8-week project wrap-up on October 12th, 2024. Finally, Nuture Community CIC received funding in late 2024 from the National Lottery to continue the project in 2025 and 2026. This will be discussed in future reports. Memory Threads This project originated from our commitment to support the Alzheimer's Society and to foster a community spirit, with the plan to tell community stories through postcards and theatre to raise Dementia and Alzheimer's awareness. It was created to reduce stress levels, increase community inclusion, and enhance local awareness for the Alzheimer's Society, visiting 9 local organisations across the district, offering inclusive creative workshops. Between March and August 2024, with the funding support of David Wilson Homes, Barrat Homes and We Love Lichfield Fund, we delivered the postcard art project across a range of communities and allow for the Youth Theatre of Lichfield Garrick to write, produce and perform a short piece inspired by the memories created in the art project. This went on tour between July and August, performing ten times. This was to the community groups and schools that took part, as well as two performances at The Fuse Festival, one at Burntwood Wakes on the 20 July and one at Burntwood Town Council's Play in the Park on the 7 August. A cross selection of the postcards was also displayed as part of the Nurture Community CIC Festive Tree at Lichfield Cathedral between 30 November 2024 and 5 January 2025. This was an intergenerational project, with visits across mainstream and SEN schools, community groups, nurseries and care homes. Through this work, we were able to create a list of dementia-friendly spaces, which was compiled into a map, handed out the Fuse Festival where approximately 16,000 visitors attended between 12 and 14 July, as well at Burntwood Wakes and the councils Play in the Park. In total, 915 beneficiaries were impacted by the project. 375 created postcards, and 540 saw the performance. The groups and activities covered WS13 and WS7 areas. The project was supported by 15 volunteers, 9 who were new to Nurture Community CIC.

Our key stakeholders and how we consult with them: Community Partners This is an informal consultation. We contact them regularly when organising and coordinating their events. During this time, we determine what they need as a business and how their skills, time and space will meet the requirements of our other beneficiaries. This, in turn, informs the activities that our partners conduct and their involvement in any of our funded projects. Grant Funders Our communication with our grant funders tends to be limited to reporting. We always complete any outcomes/outputs/data as requested. Most of this will be used as case studies, as seen above. Corporate Sponsors They reach out to us proactively, as our activities are seen to meet their CSR needs. Using the feedback from our community groups, beneficiaries and other signposted organisations, we ensure that the commercial needs of the organisation do not overwhelm or redirect the CIC mission and outcomes. Community Groups and Beneficiaries There is a constant ongoing consultation based on the regular time we have through our projects. Some are as frequent as weekly. This is both informal feedback with the community group leads and more formal, based on input gathered at the beginning, middle, and end of projects. This ranges from “distance travelled” and outcomes/output feedback to more informal settings, where the content of our activities is adapted based on the needs of the groups, the content of future activities and the grants we apply for which can support our mission and vision. During our activities, there are accessible postcards for those who take part to enable use to gather feedback. Some examples of this feedback is included in the case studies above. Co-Directors The Directors meet regularly to discuss strategy as well as operational issues and plans. Volunteers Volunteers are consulted based on the project they are associated with, and we gain feedback on areas such as skills gaps, capacity and resources, as well as asking for their ideas based on the communities they are part of. These can have an immediate impact on the running of a project, but also feed into “lessons learned” for future projects, activities, processes (such as data collection and reporting) and operational processes. Wider Community – Staffordshire Our annual survey (launched in Feb 2024) was to gain feedback regarding a community space in Lichfield. This was to understand the community's wants and needs regarding an accessible space – what they would want to see in it and how they would want to use it. Whilst the CIC is not currently in a financial position to move forward with plans for a physical space, this information helps guide the Directors to understand what is wanted by the community, and has fed this into some of the plans for our events, with those partners that have their own “space” too.

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