The Flourishing Learning Network
We are creating welcoming opportunities for children and young people whose worlds have become smaller because education, community participation or social connection has become difficult.
Currently being established as a charitable organisation
Our charitable aim
To improve the lives and future opportunities of children and young people who experience barriers to education, community participation or social connection by creating opportunities which strengthen belonging, confidence, capability, independence and engagement with learning and wider life.
Why Flourishing?
Anxiety, neurodivergence, emotionally based school avoidance, difficult experiences, social isolation or a mismatch between a young person’s needs and the environments around them can make ordinary opportunities increasingly hard to access.
School may become difficult. Friendships reduce. Activities stop. Families can become isolated alongside their child.
Flourishing is about creating more ways back into connection, confidence, participation and possibility.
Starting small. Growing carefully.
We will build trust and community first, then widen opportunities as the charity develops the capacity and safeguards to do so well.
Flourishing Outdoors, nature and animal based gatherings, practical activity, shared interests and informal parent and carer connection.
Small group experiences that help young people explore interests, contribute, build capability and develop supported independence.
A carefully safeguarded matching model helping young people grow their tribe, access interests and build confidence and independence.
The principles we want to protect
Relationships come first.
Young people should not have to earn their right to belong.
Create opportunities for young people to experience what they can do.
Young people should have meaningful choice and influence.
A future Flourishing strand
Some children and young people need to grow their tribe, their sense of belonging and connection. A Sidekick would be a reliable, interested adult who spends time with a young person, shares interests and helps widen their world.
You would not need to have all the answers. You would need to be kind, reliable and ready to show up.
Sidekicks will only launch when the charity has the right governance, training, safer recruitment and safeguarding arrangements in place.
Register early interest →Help build the village
We are bringing together people who believe children should not have to reach crisis before something different becomes possible.
Stay connected
Whether you are a parent, potential trustee, volunteer, professional or local partner, we would love to start a conversation.