Previous Youth Projects

We have funded 301 youth projects since 2014, supporting a wide range of exciting ideas for engaging with UK native plants and fungi. 

Grow Wild youth grants provide support and funding to young people aged 14-25 to carry out projects that celebrate and champion the importance UK native plants and/or fungi.

This page offers an inspiring glimpse into some of the projects run by previous Grow Wild youth grant recipients. 
 

Amber Brown: Earth works

'My project, Earthworks, curated a marriage of photography and printmaking, depicting allotments in Amble and Morpeth, and the community at the heart of them.

'I approached Grow Wild after hearing about their Youth Project funding through the University [Edinburgh College of Art]. My aim was to develop the work over a six-month period to put on my first solo exhibition, which would also be my first time exhibiting in my hometown – a nerve-wracking prospect!

'Creating this work over several seasons allowed me to experience the allotment through its cyclic stages of growth. Naturally, come spring, more and more plot-holders spent time at their green havens. Many of them were so kind to spare an hour or so to show me around their plot, tell stories of what their hobby has brought them and let me take their portrait in the space.

'During my time with Grow Wild, I’m honestly absolutely over the moon to say that my project (which is a work in progress) was shortlisted in the top ten selected works at Belgrade Photo Month 2019 – and published in the coinciding Grain magazine – shortlisted for the Astaire Art Prize 2019 and also won the George Jackson Hutchinson Memorial Prize 2019!'

Amanpreet Kalsi: In Bloom

Supported by the University of Warwick

In Bloom represents the seasonal growth of UK native plants. Composed from laser-cut birch wood, the work intertwines and overlaps ten different wildflower species, incorporating pollinators like bees, birds and butterflies.

The journey begins at the core of the structure, with the seed. Seeds can sit dormant for years before the right conditions enable them to burst into life and growth can begin.

Encircling the core, ivy, ferns and harebells bloom and bring beauty to dreary autumn and winter days.

The blooming of wildflowers, which break away from this circle, represents the beauty of explosive blossoming that occurs in spring and summer.

In Bloom encapsulates the journey of growth, from autumn to summer, when everything truly comes to life.

Grace Penton: Growing Gigantic

Supported by Create London

Exploring the theme of personal growth, and the growth of the plants and fungi around us, Grace has explored how they allow us to flourish. She created the ‘tree-trousers’, representing the unrealistic growth imagined as a child. The trousers become a symbol for both the personal growth and literal growth we experience as humans.

Collaborating with people from different ages, backgrounds and opinions, and with nature itself, she worked with other contributors, who created drawings of plants, trees and fungi; the results of this collaboration adorn the trousers, creating a community upon them.

Due to the circumstances over the past year and the inability to physically interact, Grace created an online space where people submitted pictures of their creations, and these were then translated onto the trousers. The trousers are made from recycled paper, cardboard and willow; trees from trees.

‘I found that working with nature, in this slower way, pushed me to be more patient as each element of the Tree-Trousers was a new, slow process.’

@artyfacegrace

Bijoy Das: Nature's Internet

Supported by Queen Mary University of London

Nature’s Internet explores the scientific research that is expanding our knowledge of the wildly complex kingdom of fungi.

What you see (or eat!) of a mushroom is the fruit or the flower. The organism exists under the ground, as a network of fine threads called mycelium. These ‘threads’ are the creators of the fastest and most complex biochemical signalling network on the planet.

In his project, Bijoy highlights and celebrates this remarkable process. Nature’s Internet aims to juxtapose the seemingly quiet, simple life of the mushroom with the highly complicated biochemical signalling that is going on under the soil.

A ‘mycelial server room’ is his representation of these processes, an attempt to describe their complexity in the way we think of these concepts: glowing lights, machined edges and technical components. Bijoy uses fluorescent acrylic to convey this – its smooth, adaptive glow is a stark contrast to the matte grey-beige flesh of the fungi itself.

@Bijoy.jpg

Natural Plant Dye Garden, Cardiff Metropolitan University 

With youth project funding from Grow Wild, students at Cardiff Metropolitan University developed a natural dye garden to explore ideas around fabric dyeing, sustainable dyes and waste dyeing (using materials like onion skins and avocado pits).

Throughout the project, the central focus was on giving students education about the ancient craft technique of natural plant dyeing. Dr Keireine Canavan, Head of Textiles at the university, explained: 'The students who were involved now consider themselves more aware of the power of nature and the potential of using natural dye sources to achieve a beautiful result.

'A really important part of the project was the idea of sharing plant information and dye recipes, both with the rest of the student body and with interested people outside of Cardiff Met. To achieve this goal, we decided to gather facts and insight through augmented reality software, to allow people to have an interactive experience with a real-world dye garden without having to be physically on site, which resulted in a permanent campus dye garden.

'The natural plant dye garden, as well as its augmented reality elements, is here to stay as a valuable resource. I’m also delighted to confirm that natural dyeing is now embedded into the degree curriculum here at Cardiff Met.'

Callum: Mushroom Teepee

Supported by Parklea Branching Out

Callum built a magnificent wooden teepee where he cultivated UK-native Oyster mushrooms and Shiitake mushrooms for all to enjoy. His project was supported by Parklea Branching Out in Port Glasgow, an organisation that helps individuals with support needs to fulfil their potential through horticultural activities. 

Callum's journey involved sourcing logs and coffee grounds from a local cafe, creating the ideal environment for mushroom growth. He has not only learnt how to nurture and harvest the mushrooms but has also become a passionate advocate for their health benefits, educating visitors. 

This project has not only boosted Callum's confidence and presentation skills but also garnered attention from the local newspaper. It's a fantastic example of how horticultural activities can foster personal growth, learning and community engagement. 

Emma: Hooked on Nature

Emma's "Hooked on Nature Project" is a creative and community-driven effort that promotes a love for the natural world through art.

She sourced and tested knitting and crochet patterns for UK native plants and fungi, involving local crafting groups to create woollen mushrooms and flowers. Emma documented the process on social media, organised workshops, and an exhibition. She even organised ‘knit and natter’ sessions for project makers and the public to come together and connect while working on their pieces. 

Emma stitched together an imaginative way to encourage members of her local community to unite, express their creativity, learn a new skill, and celebrate the natural world. 

Eva Maree Dixon: Wildflower Disks

Supported by Central Saint Martins

Eva Maree Art's project, initially centred on plant leaves and involving a homemade camera, took an unexpected turn. Due to unforeseen circumstances, she found herself in South Africa halfway through the project and couldn't complete it. However, adapting creatively, Eva Maree Art joined ceramics classes and crafted clay disks. She utilized cyanotype, a vivid blue pigmented photographic medium, to print images of wildflowers onto the disks. The result is a unique and transformed project, showcasing her resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges. 

Phoebe Wagner: Queer Nature 

Supported by The Barbican Centre

Poet Phoebe used Grow Wild's creative project grant to create a visual poem titled "We Are All Lichen." This unique piece originated from an online mind-map, embodying a collective experience through a collision of free associations. Phoebe's exploration includes word games, reflections on the journey of growing up, and probing questions about individual identity. 

Inspired by Merlin Sheldrake's 'Entangled Life' and the essay 'Queer Theory for Lichens' by David Griffiths, Phoebe's fascination with lichen becomes a central theme. In her visual poem, titled 'We Are All Lichen,' she mirrors the microscopic structures of lichen. Using the metaphor of lichen as a Queer community in the fungi world, Phoebe challenges conventional notions of identity and personhood, emphasizing the symbiotic relationships within lichen. 

Matilda Trevitt: Wild Side

Supported by South London Botanical Institute

Matilda's stunning final piece 'Wild Side' delves into the theme of escapism and coping with the pressures of modern life. In this colourful art piece, she explores the inclusivity of nature, questioning barriers to access in urban settings and reflecting on how lockdown restrictions have emphasised these challenges. 

Matilda explores the historical significance of green spaces in London, and their relevance to the urban working class. Her semi-abstract style, rich textures, and vibrant colours aim to emulate aspects of the psychedelic experience. Through her art, Matilda seeks to create a visual escape, a window for the public to be transported to an otherworldly utopia, “a place we want to be, but is just out of reach”. 'Wild Side' becomes a powerful expression of the universal yearning for connection with nature amidst the constraints of urban living. 

Robin Mooneye: Flowers and Fungi Wall Art

Supported by the Bromley By Bow Centre

Robins urban wall designs can be discovered across East London. In a botanical treasure hunt, viewers are challenged to find her 12 beautiful flower and fungi illustrations scattered throughout the area. 

The genesis of Robin's fascination with plants traces back to her childhood when her parents introduced her to the diverse benefits of different plants, giving her botanical encyclopaedias for her to explore. Raised surrounded by her family's gardens, Robin developed a connection with plants, utilising them not just in cooking but also for their healing properties. Her art project is a testament to this deep-rooted appreciation for the multifaceted qualities of plants, bringing botanical beauty to the streets of East London. 

Emma Cole: Elfcup

Supported by Wimbledon College of Arts

Emma's incredible figurative sculpture is crafted from air-drying clay and layers of paint and varnish. This exquisite piece is named after the striking green elfcup mushroom, which can be seen in bright turquoise scattered across the sculpture. 

Elfcup features a female figure embellished with various fungi species found in the UK, aiming to highlight the beauty and diversity of fungi and encourage a deeper connection with the natural world. Against the bright white figure, each mushroom colour, form, and texture is emphasised. 

The piece serves not only as an artistic creation but as a celebration of the fascinating world of mushrooms, inspiring Emma to continue exploring and appreciating their diverse beauty. 

 @emmacoleart

Lexy: Helping Hooves Youth Garden

Supported by Helping Hooves

Youth facilitator Lexy and her group of under-18s embarked on a journey transforming Helping Hooves, an equine and outdoor activity peer support centre in Derbyshire. 

She brought her vision to life by creating the Youth Garden, focusing on boosting biodiversity and supporting children's mental health and well-being. The group built shelters for local wildlife, created pathways, installed picnic benches, and sowed seeds for herbs, willow, and wildflowers. 

Despite facing challenges like adverse weather conditions and garden damage due to a flood, Lexy's determination and hard work prevailed. She rebuilt the damaged area, organised engaging activities, and made a positive impact on the local community and environment. Activities within the garden included meditation, plant care, nature journaling, creating a wall mural and making video diaries. The project even involved a 'Grow to Give' program where children harvested flowers to give back to the community. 

Lexy's perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity shine through in this youth-led project, leaving a lasting impact on the community and the natural world. 

Mattie O'Callaghan: Mushroom For All 

Mattie's 2022 project Mushroom For All was built around connecting the local people of Hoxton Community Garden in London to the importance of fungi in our lives and ecosystems. 

Mattie engaged local people through workshops about making and sensing fungi, sharing food, recipes, and stories, and linking the environmental aspects of fungi with cultural connections.

Read more about what Mattie had to say about the project.

Rahul Goel: Wildflower Wonders

For his Grow Wild Youth Project in 2022, Rahul brought the community together to grow wildflowers on his university campus.

He also completed Kew’s Young Environmental Leader Award. 

Read more about Rahul's experience of the project.