During the financial year, the CIC developed the Make:Wild project, funded by a £20,000 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund. The project is intended to benefit adults aged 18 and over who may be neurodivergent, experiencing loneliness or isolation, as well as members of the wider Bristol creative community and people seeking opportunities for creative connection and community. During the reporting period, the CIC undertook project development and preparation, including securing project space, developing creative workshops and preparing the programme for delivery. The project launch was delayed due to facilitator illness, with the revised timetable approved by The National Lottery Community Fund. The programme was subsequently scheduled to launch in January 2026. As the project had not launched during the financial year, no participants were reached during this reporting period. The preparatory work established the foundations for the project to provide accessible opportunities for connection, creativity, nature engagement and wellbeing following the end of the reporting period.

The CIC's community helped shape the development of the Make:Wild project. The CIC operates through Unit 8 Studio, an established community art hub with approximately 30 resident artists and around 300 visitors per month. During the project development phase, the CIC conducted 60 surveys to understand community needs and views about creativity, nature and wellbeing. All respondents identified positive impacts of nature on creativity and mental health, and all agreed that community support and connection were important for wellbeing. 95% felt that spending more time in nature could support personal growth, while 20% identified barriers including accessibility, cost and feeling unwelcome in natural spaces. A focus group of seven individuals also contributed directly to the development of the project. Participants discussed isolation, the need for meaningful engagement and the importance of accessible and supportive spaces for mental wellbeing. The CIC also held a taster session attended by eight people and gathered participant feedback. In response to this feedback, the CIC designed Make:Wild to provide accessible creative activities inspired by nature, with opportunities to participate through nature reserves, the CIC's studio and online. The project was designed to address the barriers identified through consultation and support connection, creativity, wellbeing and a sense of belonging. Consultation also helped the CIC understand wider community needs and test the relevance of its broader social and community mission as a newly established organisation. Feedback was used to ensure that the CIC's activities and future development remained responsive to identified community needs.

One director received £850 during the financial year for freelance facilitation and project preparation services provided to the CIC in connection with the Make:Wild project. The payment was made against an invoice for services provided and was not payment for acting in the capacity of a director.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration