The Biophilia Project believes in the power of spaces: spaces to connect with nature, spaces to learn and explore, and spaces where people can have conversations, share experiences and feel free to be themselves.
Creating meaningful spaces does not always require large budgets or major changes. A small garden where butterflies can land, a corner where children can grow vegetables, a quiet outdoor space to pause and regulate, or a welcoming room where people can come together to talk about neurodiversity can all make a difference.
We are interested in creating and supporting spaces that nurture connection — with nature, with ourselves and with one another.
This includes bringing more nature into schools and residential areas, but also creating opportunities for dialogue around neurodiversity, inclusion, rights and different ways of learning and being.
The goal is to empower people, nurture connection and create environments where children and adults can grow, participate and thrive.
If you feel that your school, community or organisation needs more opportunities to connect with nature — or simply a space to start a conversation — get in touch. Let’s explore what we could grow together.
Evidence shows that living in a greener environment can promote and protect good health, and aid in recovery from illness and help with managing poor health. People who have greater exposure to green space have a range of more favourable physiological outcomes. Greener environments are also associated with better mental health and wellbeing outcomes including reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and fatigue, and enhanced quality of life for both children and adults.
Green space can help to bind communities together, reduce loneliness, and mitigate the negative effects of air pollution, excessive noise, heat and flooding. Disadvantaged groups appear to gain a larger health benefit and have reduced socioeconomic-related inequalities in health when living in greener communities, so green space and a greener urban environment can also be used as an important tool in the drive to build a fairer society.
— Public Health England – “Improving access to green space, a new review for 2020”
Projects
Dulwich Hamlet Junior School - London, UK
The Biophilia Project has collaborated with the Dulwich Hamlet Junior School from 2021 to 2024. Explore and Play has been introduced during the school hours in order to offer nature connection as well as child led activity sessions to all the pupils.
Heber Primary School - London, UK
After the 2020/2021 winter lockdown, Heber Primary School, has allocated outdoor spaces for all the classes to grow plants making sure that children could spend time outdoor as a way to improve their general wellbeing.
The Biophila Project has donated a seed library to kick off the project.
St Anne’s School, South Gloucestershire
The first week of February 2020 during the Children's Mental Health Week, Explore and Play was launched at St Anne’s school, South Gloucestershire, in collaboration with The Movement Foundation.
Bessemer Grange Primary School - London, UK
Bessemer Grange Primary School has been home to Explore and Play since 2017 and has welcomed some amazing project on its ground such as a Loose Part Play Area and an Edible Play Garden.