Neroche Woodlanders is a social enterprise that uses nature to improve people’s lives while sustaining the beauty, diversity, and wildlife of the woods.

Based at Young Woods on the edge of the Blackdown Hills near Taunton, the organisation provides woodland wellbeing and ecotherapy courses, and opportunities for team days and corporate volunteering.

They found themselves juggling increasing demand with fewer resources and were finding it difficult to secure financial support from grant-makers. So, they decided to come along to one of our funding focussed events – an opportunity that, as Wellbeing Lead Jenny Archard explains, benefitted them in many ways.

“I attended a fundraising training and networking forum in Yeovil. Being able to go to a training session and ask someone what we needed works really well. It covered how to complete an application for the National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All programme, and I wrote ours then and there.”

“We were able to get what information we really needed rather than being guided through a series of steps, or trained in something we don’t have the time to do. It’s really important.”

Now, Jenny and the Neroche Woodlanders team are reaping the rewards of our funding advice, and their diligent work.

“At the moment, we’ve got a 100% success rate for funding applications, which is fantastic.”

“We’re working on setting up an alternate provision for local children – we’ve got some interest from nearby schools, and are hoping to get some advice from an ex-client on how to get started.”

“Thanks for the help – we will keep on coming to Spark Somerset events and asking for more advice as we go along.”

If you’d like to find out more about the amazing work that Neroche Woodlanders are undertaking, please visit their website.

Looking for support with your fundraising efforts? Find out how our team can help you here.