With support from The Mears Foundation, the Ground Force project expanded its grow-your-own gardening initiative across ten different locations. The funding enabled the purchase of tools, compost, seed packs, and small greenhouses, helping families and children engage in sustainable food growing activities. By creating hands-on opportunities to grow fruit and vegetables, the project encouraged healthy eating, improved wellbeing, and offered meaningful ways to connect with nature and each other. Children gained new skills, confidence, and a sense of responsibility, while adults found a therapeutic and purposeful outlet during a transitional period in their lives. The grant also laid the groundwork for long-term community collaboration through links with local gardening clubs, helping the initiative take root and thrive well into the future.

With support from The Mears Foundation, residents at Ochil House were able to install a new greenhouse, creating a shared space that encourages wellbeing, social connection, and outdoor activity. The grant funded the purchase of the greenhouse, while Mears staff and subcontractors contributed 54 hours of volunteer time to prepare the area, clearing weeds, power washing surfaces, and assembling the structure. Materials were also kindly donated by Huws Gray and Greenerleaf. This collaborative effort has transformed an underused space into a focal point for residents, offering a sense of ownership and the joy of growing their own plants. The project has strengthened community spirit within the complex and will continue to bring lasting benefits for years to come.

With support from The Mears Foundation, Christ The King Primary & Nursery transformed its outdated playground into a multi-functional space for over 300 children. The grant, combined with community fundraising and volunteer support, enabled the demolition of hazardous structures, installation of new playground markings, and the creation of an accessible outdoor learning and play zone. Pupils were involved in the design process, making the project truly inclusive and tailored to their needs. Mears volunteers played a crucial role by enabling contractor access, showcasing a hands-on commitment to the local community. The revitalised space has already become a place for outdoor learning, creativity, and physical activity.

With funding from The Mears Foundation, Harewood Infant School successfully transformed a disused, overgrown plot into a vibrant sensory garden, creating a calming and stimulating outdoor space for pupils aged 4 to 7. The project revitalised the area with new raised beds, ornamental grasses, garden shrubs, and tactile elements like pebbles and weed membrane, all designed to engage the senses and support a wide range of learning and wellbeing needs. A new shed was also installed to safely store sensory resources. This garden now offers a peaceful retreat where children can explore, self-regulate, and connect with nature. The space is particularly valuable for pupils with additional needs and is also accessible to local playgroups and clubs who share the site, making it a true asset to the wider school community.

With funding from The Mears Foundation, the Care Leavers Hub transformed its outdoor space into a calm, supportive environment tailored to young adults transitioning from care. The project introduced a permanent seating area for community connection and private support sessions, alongside new tarmac pathways that improved safety and accessibility throughout the site. A key feature was the creation of a greenhouse and vegetable-growing initiative, offering hands-on gardening experience that promoted mental wellbeing, life skills, and healthy eating. The Foundation’s support enabled the Hub to create not just a practical outdoor area, but a space where service users could build confidence, connect with others, and find meaningful moments of reflection, laying important foundations for greater independence and resilience in their everyday lives.

One of our new Grant Initiatives, Inclusion Through Sport, is focused on supporting grassroots sports clubs in underfunded communities. By providing resources to engage young people in sports, the initiative aims to reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour by channelling their energy into positive, meaningful activities. Last week, students from The Oaks Specialist College in Tonbridge joined our volunteers at Tonbridge Football Club to celebrate the impact of the club’s grant. The funding has provided the college with new sports equipment, including football goals and indoor games, creating better opportunities for physical activity within the club.