Our Story...
Freedom to Flourish CIC began simply—with two friends, Clare and Megan, taking regular lunchtime walks through their local park.
At the time, Megan was on maternity leave from teaching as a first-time mum, while Clare, a former headteacher and mum of two teenagers, was working as an educational consultant. Both were navigating big life transitions and feeling that something was missing—connection, space, and support beyond the structures they had known in education.
Those walks became more than a break in the day. They were a chance to talk honestly, laugh, reflect, and feel better. Along the way, they noticed other parents walking alone and recognised a wider need for connection. From that, The Rimrose Pramblers—Buggy Walk and Talk—was born, a relaxed, welcoming space for parents to meet and support one another.
As the group grew, they often tried to head for coffee together but found cafés couldn’t accommodate so many buggies. Instead, they rented a local village hall, creating a space where everyone could gather. What began as a practical solution quickly became a hub for conversation, shared experience, and peer support.
This experience revealed something bigger. Many people—families, young people, and adults alike—were feeling disconnected, without access to support that felt approachable and relevant. It reinforced a belief they both shared—that wellbeing, confidence, and connection matter at every stage of life.
Freedom to Flourish has since grown into a wider programme of work across schools, colleges, and the community. While the reach has expanded, the ethos remains the same—using education, movement, connection, and enjoyment to support wellbeing and life chances.
Today, we deliver workshops, programmes, and community initiatives that support people from early parenthood through to employability and personal development, creating inclusive spaces where people can connect, build confidence, and move forward.
Freedom to Flourish exists to offer something simple but powerful—the opportunity for people to feel supported, connected, and able to shape their own future.
Our Values
At the heart of everything we do are the values that guide us, inspire us, and connect us.
🤝 Integrity- We believe in honesty, transparency, and doing the right thing — always. We treat everyone with dignity, empathy, and fairness, while respecting the communities and environments where we live and work.
💛 Joy- We celebrate successes, embrace moments that matter, and cultivate gratitude in our daily work. We believe that joy is contagious and creates space for meaningful connections.
🎨 Creativity- We see the bigger picture and stay open to new ideas. We are always learning, growing, and exploring better ways to make a positive impact.
🌿 Community- We care deeply about our people and our communities. Through collaboration and teamwork, we empower each other to lead healthier, happier lives, and strive to create lasting social impact.
🌍 Respect- We honour diversity, value every voice, and foster environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
These values are more than words — they are the way we show up, the way we support each other, and the way we make a difference together.
Meet Our Team
Freedom to Flourish is a female-led organisation, bringing together lived experience and professional backgrounds in education, health, and social care to support families and communities.
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Founder & Director
Clare Marsh
Clare is a qualified primary school teacher and former Head Teacher with 20+ years experience, specialising in the Advanced Study of Early Years. Clare has worked in mainstream and specialist settings and is passionate about adaptive teaching and positive education. As a qualified Forest School practitioner, NLP coach and Mental Health First Aider, Clare is well placed to create safe, nurturing spaces that support emotional wellbeing, build confidence, and foster connection through nature-based and therapeutic approaches.
A busy mum of two teenagers, Clare is an advocate of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing and tries to incorporate these into her everyday life.
Associate Director
Megan Nuttall
Megan is a qualified SEN (Special Educational Needs) and PLMD (Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities) teacher currently working as a Lead Tutor in a specialist college. She is passionate about providing a high quality of education and promoting independence to all of her learners, regardless of any barriers or obstacles they may face. Megan is a relatively new mum, currently navigating life with a toddler. She is eager to provide other new parents with a safe space to share experiences, advice and support.
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Associate Director
Adele Hollywood
Adele brings a unique and valuable perspective to the team, having founded Unity Lives- an award-winning supported living organisation that delivers bespoke care packages tailored to individual needs. Passionate about empowering people to achieve independence and live happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives, Adele champions person-centred approaches in everything she does.
Her extensive experience in care, compliance, and service leadership strengthens the way we govern and grow as a Community Interest Company. Adele also provides consultancy support to other organisations, offering guidance on quality assurance, regulation, and best practice- ensuring services are both compassionate and compliant.
Active Roots & Branching Out Sports Coach
James Marsh
James (Jay) leads our Teen Multisports programme with energy, empathy, and a deep commitment to inclusion. He teaches PE at a specialist high school, working with learners who have a range of special educational needs, neurodivergent profiles, and physical disabilities. With a strong background in adaptive teaching, James ensures that every young person can access and enjoy physical activity in a way that works for them.
An experienced swimming coach and FA-accredited football coach, James brings a wealth of practical knowledge, creativity, and encouragement to every session- supporting young people to build confidence, stay active, and have fun.
We are also fortunate to have some wonderful facilitators and volunteers who make running our projects possible.
If you would like to join our volunteering team, please send us a message via our 'Contact Us' button.