Cultivating connection: How access to business support through Match My Project is helping The Garden Classroom flourish

Something special is growing in the concrete heart of London.

In Islington, one of England’s most densely populated boroughs, access to nature isn’t always a given.

In fact, 71% of residents lack access to a private garden.

But a local charity, The Garden Classroom (TGC) is fighting back at this stat.

The Garden Classroom connects urban communities with nature to foster wellbeing and inspire environmental stewardship. Their outdoor learning experiences benefit thousands of people annually.

Natural Partnerships

The Garden Classroom signed up to Match My Project in December 2024, after exploring ways to demonstrate the social value they generate in their local community and to seek much-needed funding for their nature connection programmes.

They are now registered on three local authority’s Match My Project sites: Hyde Housing Association, Hackney Giving, and Sanctuary.

The Garden Classroom matched with Just Ask Estate Services Ltd. through Match My Project to receive support for their Urban Forest School (UFS) programme.

Growing green minds

Urban Forest School provides nature-immersive education to 1,000 children in Islington and Hackney each year, prioritising schools with high numbers of disadvantaged pupils, and ensuring children from all backgrounds can experience the benefits of nature.

Urban Forest School adapts the traditional Forest School model to an urban setting, offering regular two-hour outdoor sessions that promote resilience, teamwork, and self-confidence. Children engage in hands-on learning experiences that enhance their problem-solving skills, collaboration, and emotional regulation—supporting their overall education and wellbeing.

Through Match My Project, Just Ask Estate Services Ltd. offered funding that will allow The Garden Classroom to cover the costs of a facilitator for Urban Forest School sessions. Their support will also enable the purchase of branded waterproof jackets, whittling knives, Japanese pull saws for woodwork activities, children’s binoculars for wildlife identification, fire kits, cups and flasks, slack lines, and gymnastics rings.

Hannah Hogarth, The Garden Classroom’s Urban Forest School Manager had this to say,

“Thanks to Hyde Housing Association, Just Ask Estate Services and the MMP platform, we were delighted to receive support for our UFS programme. We’ll be able to purchase much needed equipment and fund our expert facilitators who make every session engaging, fun and safe! The MMP platform has given us great exposure to companies that are looking to support charities like ours who deliver real social value in local communities – thank you!”

With green spaces becoming increasingly precious, partnerships like the one between The Garden Classroom and Just Ask demonstrate how business resources, when well directed, can contribute to healthier and more environmentally aware communities.

Join the movement

Are you a business looking fulfil your Social Value commitments? You can connect directly with grassroots organisations doing important work in local communities on Match My Project.

Are you a community organisation looking for a direct route to private-sector support? Your project could be the next to receive crucial support and resources.