Our aim is to support local businesses and help people to get new sustainable enterprise ideas off the ground within our community.

An example of this is our very successful Forest School operated by Roz Phillips of Derby Forest Schools. The Forest School at Whistlewood was set up in 2019 and grew from a home-based childcare business. Today the School employs 4 contracted part-time staff and 4 casual freelance staff at Whistlewood. 48 children’s places are supported each week and it operates 3 days a week (4 in the school holidays with Holiday Club being added). The excellence of Whistlewood Forest School is supported by the fact that it has had 2.5 years of successful Ofsted Ratings. Whistlewood has supported the growth of Derby Forest Schools by:

Roz says “offering expertise from the team of knowledgeable board members who have a wide ranging skill set between them, from woodland management, to permaculture, to advice on small business management; they have been there to support and encourage throughout the journey. Together we have forged a partnership that is mutually beneficial and enables our space to be used flexibly and creatively.” 

We may be able to help if you have a germ of an idea, for example:

• Growing and processing plants such as vegetables or flowers
• Developing a camping and glamping pod business

We have already been working in partnership with local businesses but there is lots more to come – we invite you to get in touch.