Features / nature connection
Taking a breath of fresh air with the Birch Collective
The Birch Collective is reimagining youth support – one seed and woodland at a time.
Founded by Tim George, Ro Fry and Amy Cox, the Bristol-based social enterprise offers young people a nature-based wellbeing lifeline, far removed from traditional mental health interventions.
This year marks the Collective’s fifth birthday. Bristol24/7 caught up with marketing & communications coordinator James Broadley to hear about their journey so far.
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Last year the Birch Collective worked with more than 200 people, delivering four free nature-based programmes
“The Birch Collective was set up in response to traditional mental health offerings,” explains James. “We’re not about making people recount their past. It’s about giving young people opportunities to work side by side in nature and simply saying: ‘Would you like to help?’”
The organisation emerged during the breakdown of youth services in the Covid pandemic, when the founders recognised a gap in support for young adults transitioning to independence.
Their answer was a range of nature-based programmes blending skill-building with personal development.
Tim, Amy and Ro brought an eclectic mix of experience in youth work, music, carpentry and horticulture, united by a vision of helping young people in Bristol find their place in the world.
The first iteration of the Collective took root at the allotment of Bristol gardener and legend Mike Feingold in Royate Hill.
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In 2024 the Birch Collective worked with nearly 200 people, many out of full-time work or education.
They delivered four free, community-focused activities: ReCoupe, teaching over-18s woodland restoration skills; Seeding Change, a seven-month programme for 18 to 25 year olds to build confidence and nature connection; a Steering Group focusing on mental health and social action informed by lived experience and Fresh Air Thursdays, now their longest-running programme, still held weekly at St George’s Park.
The impact is tangible. James recalls: “Two weeks ago, I got a WhatsApp from someone thanking the ReCoupe crew for clearing an area of Trooper’s Hill, which helped them run a mindfulness class there. It was a beautiful example of looking after our community.”
ReCoupe’s current focus reflects two priorities, namely contributing to regional reforestation targets in line with the West of England Combined Authority and UK Government net zero commitments; and delivering on their partnership with the WorkWell West scheme, which funds them to support people who are unemployed and unwell.
One participant, Leah, shares in a video “[ReCoupe project manager] Luke was showing me everything he does to give trees the best possible start, like adding a companion plant. I’d never encountered a project so focused on wellbeing, including everyone and teaching forestry skills.”
Fresh Air Thursdays also draw local engagement. Ella, a participant who has attended on and off for three years, says: “My favourite thing is seeing how much the garden changes through the seasons – and knowing we’ve had a hand in shaping it.”
The Collective will implement a paid Youth Advisory Board next year to enable the perspectives and insights of young people to feed into the organisation
Alongside free programmes, the Birch Collective now also offers therapeutic forest school sessions for educational institutions, bespoke nature-based programmes for different groups and one-to-one nature-based mentoring for people facing mental health challenges.
Next year, they will launch a paid Youth Advisory Board for 18 to 30 year olds, meeting three times a year to hold the Board of Trustees accountable and ensure the organisation remains youth-centred.
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Philosophically, the Collective draws on the wisdom of writers, thinkers and indigenous leaders. “One of the key reasons for the climate crisis is the belief that humans are separate from nature,” says James. “We’re here to facilitate experiences that show people they are part of the natural world – that separation is a myth.”
In conversations around climate justice, James is clear about the stakes: “We know there’s a high potential for the breakdown of our food systems in the face of climate change. So we teach the fundamental skills of survival, learning how nature can take care of us if we look after it.”
Financial sustainability is an ongoing priority. Partnerships with organisations like the King’s Trust, Bristol City College and the Department for Work and Pensions have strengthened their model, but funding remains a challenge.
“We’ve been grant-dependent for five years, which has been brilliant for delivering diverse projects,” James notes. “But long waits for funding decisions can disrupt our ability to dream and build. We’re working on forecasting sales, deepening collaborations and generating revenue so our imaginations can really take off.”
It may not be easy, but for the Birch Collective the motivation is simple: “I’ve seen young men arrive unable to make eye contact and within two weeks at Fresh Air Thursdays they’re asking questions, engaging and taking initiative. Nature has a healing power that’s a fountain of hope and inspiration,” says James.
As green social prescribing gains traction, and evidence mounts for nature’s benefits, the Birch Collective stands at the forefront of a critical movement.
Their message is clear: we are not bystanders in nature – we are part of it. And that realisation may be the key to addressing both environmental and social challenges.
Medha Ghosh is part of Bristol24/7’s Youth Climate Reporters scheme which aims to broaden the range of perspectives and stories we tell on environment issues. It is funded by Bristol City Council and our public and Better Business members.
All photos: Elliot Hingston
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