During its first year of operation, Natural Networks Community Interest Company provided inclusive outdoor learning, Forest School, nature play, conservation and training opportunities for children, young people, families and community members across Bristol. Through Bristol City Council’s Holiday Activities and Food programme, we delivered 24 sessions during the Easter, Summer and Winter holidays, providing 554 funded places for children and young people aged 5–15. Sessions included Forest School, outdoor cooking, practical activities and nature-based play, providing free opportunities for children and young people to spend time outdoors, develop confidence and independence, learn practical and social skills, make friends and connect with nature. We also delivered a 12-week Forest School and Conservation Saturday Club, with 15 regular participants and approximately 130 attendances. Young people took part in activities including stream clean-ups, habitat creation, coppicing, native planting and other practical conservation activities. This supported environmental awareness, practical skills, teamwork and a sense of responsibility for local green spaces. Through funding from BYCA, we delivered a further nine Forest School and outdoor play sessions across community locations, reaching 124 participants. These provided accessible opportunities for outdoor cooking, den building, bushcraft, practical skills and self-directed nature play. Community benefit also extended beyond children attending sessions. We supported 12 regular young leader volunteers and eight regular parent volunteers. Five local residents received training in Forest School and Outdoor Play approaches and subsequently supported sessions in paid roles. We also delivered two Introduction to Forest School courses for HAF providers, reaching 20 participants and helping other practitioners develop their outdoor learning skills. Our activities were delivered in partnership with community organisations and at accessible local green spaces and community venues. This helped reduce barriers to outdoor learning for families who may otherwise have limited access to these opportunities, while supporting wellbeing, inclusion, community connection, skills development and greater engagement with the natural environment.

Natural Networks has consulted with a range of stakeholders throughout the financial year, including directors, freelance practitioners, volunteers, children and young people, parents and families, community partners, funders and other local organisations. Directors have held regular meetings throughout the year to review the development of the organisation, programme delivery, finances, safeguarding and safety, partnerships, funding opportunities and future priorities. These discussions have helped shape the direction and development of Natural Networks during its first year. Freelance practitioners and volunteers have been consulted through regular discussions, team meetings, team-building and development days, session evaluations and informal feedback. This has provided opportunities to reflect on delivery, identify areas for improvement, share ideas and contribute to the development of programmes and working practices. Children and young people have been actively encouraged to influence the activities offered. Feedback has been gathered through questionnaires, focus groups, conversations during sessions, observations and informal discussions. Our child-led and self-directed approach to Forest School and nature play also enables participants to express their interests, make choices and help shape activities. Their feedback has helped inform the activities, resources and opportunities provided. Parents and families have been consulted through questionnaires, conversations, focus groups and feedback during and following programmes. This has helped us understand participants' experiences, accessibility needs, what families value about the provision and areas where programmes could be developed or improved. We have maintained regular communication and meetings with community partners, venues and other organisations involved in our programmes. We have also attended local partnership and network meetings, providing opportunities to share learning, identify community needs, develop partnerships and explore opportunities for joint delivery. Funders have also been important stakeholders. We have engaged with funders throughout the development and delivery of funded programmes, including through funding applications, programme planning, monitoring, evaluation, meetings and feedback. This has included sharing information about participation, outcomes, community needs and learning from delivery. Feedback and discussions with funders have helped inform programme development, priorities for future funding and how activities can continue to respond to the needs of local children, young people and families. Feedback from directors, practitioners, volunteers, participants, families, partners and funders has informed programme planning, the choice of activities and locations, approaches to accessibility and inclusion, safety and working practices, practitioner and volunteer development, and priorities for future programmes. This ongoing consultation helps ensure that Natural Networks remains responsive to the needs and interests of the communities it was established to benefit.

No directors received remuneration for carrying out their duties as directors during the financial year. One director received payments totalling £6,730 for separate services provided to the company during the year. These services included project management, programme delivery, administration, line management and organisational development. These payments related to work undertaken in delivering and developing the company's activities and were not payments for holding the office of director. No other directors received payments from the company during the financial year.

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration