A Ryde-based community group is celebrating a major funding boost after being awarded £18,790 from The National Lottery Community Fund to expand its nature-based wellbeing programme on the Isle of Wight.
Forever Wild at Heart CIC will use the funding to grow its outdoor sessions, which support the wellbeing of children, parents, and adults across the Isle of Wight – particularly those facing isolation, poor mental health, or financial hardship.
The group was founded by Forest School Leader and nature wellbeing facilitator Lizzie Boynton in 2018, and officially became a Community Interest Company in 2024. With this new funding, the organisation plans to deliver around 400 outdoor sessions over the next 2 years, creating over 5,000 attendance opportunities.
The expanded programme will include weekly Forest School-inspired sessions to support children’s emotional development, shared parent-child nature experiences, mindfulness sessions for adults, and tailored support for new mums, people with ADHD, and women navigating menopause.
The grant will also allow Forever Wild at Heart to offer subsidised or free places and keep sessions affordable as it works towards long-term sustainability.
Lizzie Boynton, Founder of Forever Wild at Heart CIC, has said:
“We’re absolutely delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised and supported our work. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can continue creating safe, inclusive spaces in nature for people to connect, rest, and heal.
Article continues below this advertisement “This funding means we can reach more families and adults across the Isle of Wight who might otherwise struggle to access wellbeing support. It’s about giving people the chance to slow down, breathe, and feel part of a caring community again.”
