Neurothrive was a structured, nature‑based wellbeing programme delivered by Green Synergy for autistic individuals from April 2025 to March 2026. The project provided a safe, inclusive and sensory‑informed space where participants could spend time outdoors, explore creativity, and build confidence at their own pace.
Delivered through regular sessions, Neurothrive combined gardening, nature‑based crafts, drawing, sensory play and gentle movement, shaped around the needs, interests and sensory preferences of participants. Sessions were intentionally small, consistent and flexible, helping individuals feel secure, supported and able to engage in ways that felt right for them.
Activities were designed to be hands‑on and multi‑sensory, often incorporating touch, sound, movement and visual elements such as water play, wind‑responsive objects, bells, shakers, planting, drawing and making. Time spent in the garden was central to the project, with participants consistently responding positively to being outdoors, even during colder months.
A strong emphasis was placed on routine and predictability, with clear session structures helping to reduce anxiety and support independence. At the same time, activities were adapted responsively to individual interests — allowing participants to follow their curiosity, bring their own ideas, and engage without pressure.
Impact and experience
Across the life of the project, 28 individual participants attended Neurothrive sessions. Many showed increased confidence, engagement and willingness to try new activities over time. For some, this growth was gradual but significant — including staying longer in sessions, communicating more openly with others, and becoming more comfortable with change.
The project also supported:
- Greater social confidence and peer interaction
- Development of practical and transferable skills
- Increased independence and self‑expression
- Stronger connections to nature, routine and wellbeing
Several participants went on to apply what they learned beyond the sessions, including gardening at home, joining other community projects, or progressing into education or further support services.
End of project and legacy
Neurothrive came to a close when grant funding ended. To support transition, participants were signposted into other Green Synergy programmes, with familiar resources and approaches carried forward wherever possible.
Although the sessions have now ended, Neurothrive demonstrated the value of outdoor, sensory‑led, participant‑centred provision for autistic individuals. The learning from the project continues to inform Green Synergy’s work and future programme development (including NeuroGreen), helping to ensure that neurodivergent people are supported to feel safe, valued and able to thrive.
