The Grand Appeal is a charity based in Bristol that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of sick children and their families at Bristol Children’s Hospital and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol. The Grand Appeal supports young patients through the toughest moments of their lives through vital projects and support services.

The Grand Appeal received a grant from the Hays Travel Foundation to support Forest School sessions for patients undergoing neurorehabilitation at Bristol Children’s Hospital. The funding helped children who have lengthy hospital stays away from family and friends, which can take its toll on their mental health. At the forest school set at Bristol Zoo, the children were given the opportunity to take part in wild arts and crafts activities, campfires, scavenger hunts and animal feeding. With the help of the activities, it allowed for self confidence to be boosted, as well as socialisation and motivation to be increased.

The project has been greatly received by the children who took part, as well as their parents with some saying that the project has “Improved mental health by getting out in nature” and “This service allows children to experience a ‘normal’ life outside of hospital.”