Trusting the Journey: A Mid-Year Reflection from JLS

Last month, I wrote about finding myself somewhere between growth and rest.

It was a blog born out of honesty.

Like many small community organisations, Journeys, Leaves & Seeds is constantly balancing ambition with sustainability, and purpose with practicality. I spoke about the importance of slowing down, listening to our bodies, and recognising that rest is not something we earn once everything is finished. It is something we need throughout the journey.

If I'm honest, that is a lesson I am still learning.

During my Camino de Santiago in May, there were many occasions when I found myself trailing behind the rest of my group. The natural temptation was always to speed up, catch everyone else, and prove that I could keep pace. Yet every time I did slow down, I noticed something beautiful. The changing landscapes. The tiny details. The conversations with strangers. The moments of quiet reflection that would have been missed had I been focused solely on reaching the next destination.

The Camino taught me that not every journey is about how quickly you arrive.

That lesson feels particularly relevant right now.

Waiting is hard!

At the end of June, our current National Lottery Community Fund grant comes to an end. This means we have just two funded Monday sessions remaining before this particular funding pot is exhausted.

It is difficult not to feel anxious when writing those words.

We know how valued these sessions are. Over the last year alone, Journeys, Leaves & Seeds has reached more than 1,200 children through our community provision, with hundreds of families accessing our weekly Bowring Park Forest School sessions and monthly SEND Family Forest School groups. These sessions have been consistently well attended, often fully booked, and have become an important source of connection, belonging and outdoor play for many local families.

We are currently waiting on two significant funding decisions.

One application would allow us to continue our Monday afternoon sessions and SEND Family Forest School provision through renewed National Lottery funding. The second is an application to BBC Children in Need, which would provide crucial core funding to support the long-term sustainability of the organisation and help us extend our reach even further.

Waiting is hard.😥

How you can support us

When you run a small Community Interest Company, funding decisions can sometimes feel like make-or-break moments. It is easy to look around and compare yourself to organisations that appear bigger, more established, or further ahead on their journey.

Yet when I think back to those long Camino days, I remind myself that comparison rarely serves us well.

JLS has never tried to be the biggest organisation. We have always focused on being authentic, responsive and rooted in our community. We are carving our own path. Sometimes that path moves quickly. Sometimes it requires patience. Sometimes it asks us to pause and trust that the next step will reveal itself when the time is right.

Whilst we await these funding decisions, we may need to explore introducing paid sessions to ensure continuity of provision.

Many people may not realise that our paid activities play a crucial role in helping us sustain our work. Income generated through weekend sessions, holiday programmes, consultancy and training helps us stretch grant funding further and create opportunities for more families, particularly those who may otherwise struggle to access outdoor learning experiences.

If you value the work we do and would like to see these sessions continue, one of the greatest ways you can support us is by attending and sharing our paid events. Every booking helps us continue investing back into the community.

Women's Well-being Project Update

Alongside our children's provision, we have also been developing something a little different this year.

In April, we launched our fully funded Women's Well-being Project. Developed following extensive consultation with local mothers, particularly those caring for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, the project aims to provide opportunities for connection, respite and self-care. Anyone who supports the family as a carer is also welcome to join, no diagnoses needed for children for you to access this session and if you want to bring a friend or family member please do.

Unfortunately, our June session was postponed due to low booking numbers. However, we remain incredibly passionate about this work and are delighted to announce a special twilight woodland session taking place in early July.

The evening will begin outdoors around the fire, with opportunities to enjoy a simple woodland snack and engage in mindful nature-based activities. We will then move into the beautiful loft space at Bowring Park, where Jane from Makia Sound will guide us through a restorative sound bath experience.

This event is fully funded and completely free to attend. Full details will be shared shortly, and I would be incredibly grateful if you could help spread the word.

A New Chapter

On a personal note, I am also excited to share that I have recently started a new role as a Tutor and Mentor on the Early Years SENDCO Programme.

Supporting the next generation of SENDCOs feels like a natural extension of the work I have always been passionate about. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences whilst continuing to learn from the dedicated professionals stepping into these important roles.

Looking Ahead

So, as I look towards the end of June and beyond, I find myself once again practising patience.

The reality is that I do not yet know what the next few months will look like for Journeys, Leaves & Seeds.

What I do know is this:

We have built something meaningful.

We have created opportunities for children to connect with nature, for families to find community, and for individuals to feel seen, valued and supported.

Whether the next chapter unfolds quickly or slowly, we will continue taking one step at a time.

After all, every worthwhile journey begins by trusting the path beneath your feet.