The Growforward Project

The Growforward Project Under the arches, where life gets real, Growforward is a space away from the noise—grounded, honest, and quietly positive.
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A place to reconnect with nature, yourself, and others, and to build something meaningful together, from the ground up. The Growforward Project is a grassroots, not-for-profit initiative dedicated to creating a tranquil hub for wellbeing, social connection, and conservation at the historic Chelfham Mill, located near Barnstaple, Devon. Our vision is to transform the 20+ acre site—situated beneath

the iconic Chelfham Viaduct and home to a dilapidated watermill and millstream—into a peaceful, wellbeing-focused community space and retreat learning centre. Nestled by the river in a stunning UNESCO Biosphere valley, the site is surrounded by ancient woodland, temperate rainforest, and a unique biodiversity found nowhere else on earth. The Growforward Project seeks to be a grounded, grassroots collaborative hub for values-driven wellness, social connection, and conservation organisations, community groups, and practitioners. In a world in desperate need of authentic and ethical wellbeing opportunities, we recognise that alone, our impact is limited—but together, the possibilities are endless. The Growforward Project is also a member of The Chelfham Valley Community, an informal group of local residents, not-for-profit land stewards, and supporters working collectively to restore the valley’s wellbeing, conservation, and heritage for the benefit of the entire North Devon community. We welcome interest from individuals, professionals, and organisations, and look forward to shaping a bright future for Chelfham Valley alongside all of you.

30/05/2026

🌅 Last night was just... everything.

The weather delivered. The food from The Garden Box was incredible. The atmosphere under the arches was electric. And Small town Jones? Absolutely magical. ✨🎶

Sundown Songs Launch Night couldn't have gone better and honestly we are still buzzing this morning. Thank you to every single person who came and made it what it was — you are the magic. 🤍 This is exactly what The GrowForward Project is all about — community, connection, creativity and joy.

Live music like this is something truly special and something we all have to get behind — or we risk losing it. If last night moved you even a little, please consider donating to the incredible Small Town Jones 🎶

🔗 zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/donate-to-sundown-songs-artists

And psssst... next Friday we are back with the incredibly talented and our Sundown Songs host Gabby Young performing as a rare stripped back acoustic duo — songs from her 4 albums PLUS brand new music written right here in North Devon. This is not one to miss. 🌅🎶

☀️ We just couldn't not post these...Look at this place today!! Chelfham Mill in the sunshine is something else entirely...
29/05/2026

☀️ We just couldn't not post these...
Look at this place today!! Chelfham Mill in the sunshine is something else entirely — bouncy castle and all 🎪😄

We are SO ready for tonight. See you at Sundown Songs! 🌅🎶

🌅 TODAY IS THE DAY!!Sundown Songs LAUNCH NIGHT is TONIGHT!We are set up, stocked up and ready for you.Come and join us t...
29/05/2026

🌅 TODAY IS THE DAY!!
Sundown Songs LAUNCH NIGHT is TONIGHT!

We are set up, stocked up and ready for you.

Come and join us tonight for live music from Small town Jones (who's just added Miniature Violinist - Rebecca Balzani Barrow - North Devon on violin to the lineup!) , incredible food from The Garden Box , a fully stocked bar and fairy lights galore. ✨

And don't forget your instruments — there's talk of an after hours jam under the arches!

See you tonight! 🌿

🕙 Arrive from 7pm, Music from 7.30pm (ish!)
📍 The Grow Forward Project, Chelfham EX32 7LA

Reminder — Sound Bath with Reiki is happening THIS Thursday evening and it's not one to miss!Join the wonderful Lou from...
27/05/2026

Reminder — Sound Bath with Reiki is happening THIS Thursday evening and it's not one to miss!

Join the wonderful Lou from Holistic Flow Devon for a beautiful, deeply relaxing evening of sound healing and reiki here at The Grow Forward Project. After a busy week, this is exactly the kind of evening your mind and body will thank you for. 🤍

🗓 Thursday 28th May | 6pm – 7.30pm
📍 The GrowForward Project, Chelfham
💫 £15
Contact Lou to book:
📧 [email protected]
📞 07972 788333

27/05/2026

🤍 Important update — this evening's Meditation session has unfortunately had to be cancelled due to illness.
We're really sorry for any inconvenience caused and hope to see you all very soon. Thank you so much for your understanding! 💛

📚 We are thrilled to be welcoming a brilliant new monthly event to The GrowForward Project — Books & Brew! ☕Run by the w...
27/05/2026

📚 We are thrilled to be welcoming a brilliant new monthly event to The GrowForward Project — Books & Brew! ☕

Run by the wonderful Space to Be Wellbeing CIC , The Reading Rooms - this is a community book group for women in North Devon where each month you choose a book together and meet for relaxed, friendly discussions over tea and coffee. It's all about creating connection and wellbeing through the joy of books, stories and poetry — and honestly, what's not to love?

🗓 First session — Thursday 4th June then first Thursday of the month
🕙 11.15am – 12.15pm
📍 The GrowForward Project, Chelfham, EX32 7LA
💛 Community contribution from just £3–£6, tea & coffee provided

To find out more or to join, contact Jeanine:
📱 WhatsApp/Text: 07957 977730
📧 hello@thereadingroomsbookgroup
🌐 thereadingroomsbookgroup.org.uk

Tag a friend who'd love this! 📖🤍

26/05/2026

🌿 Reminder — we have a very special guest joining us tomorrow for Reclaiming The Orchard!
Fraser from The National Trust is coming along to our weekly gather-and-garden session and we are thrilled to have him. Join us at 9.30am at the Hub for a morning of clearing foliage, swapping stories and slowly bringing this wonderful space back to life. ☀️

🗓 Tomorrow — Wednesday 28th May
🕛 12pm
📍 The Hub, The Grow Forward Project

Bring tools, gloves and shoes that mean business — the terrain's a bit of an adventure so it might not suit everyone, but if you're game we'd absolutely love to have you!

Tag a friend who'd love this 🌱

🌅 This Friday night — Sundown Songs LAUNCH NIGHT is finally here!!After a gloriously hot start to the week the weather l...
26/05/2026

🌅 This Friday night — Sundown Songs LAUNCH NIGHT is finally here!!

After a gloriously hot start to the week the weather looks perfect for the evening — warm, sunny and breezy. ☀️

Here's what's waiting for you at The GrowForward Project:
🎶 Live music from the wonderful Small town Jones with David Smale on double bass
🍽️ Street food from The Garden Box — bringing the best food in North Devon straight to our courtyard
🍹 A fully stocked bar
✨ Fairy lights, good vibes and great company
🎸 AND whispers of an after hours jam session under the arches — bring your instruments if you have them!

This is the kind of evening North Devon does best.
Come and be part of it!

🗓 Friday 29th May
📍 The GrowForward Project, Chelfham EX32 7LA

See you there! 🌿🌅

25/05/2026

We are aware of a malicious social media post circulating which is, as well as other ASB matters reported last week, in the hands of The Police.

We’d simply ask people to be clear minded about their own experiences of the project.

The post sadly isn’t a surprise, as it comes after we had to give notification to leave the site, following a pattern of behaviour that The Police are dealing with.

Thank you for your understanding

☀️ Half term is here, the sun is shining and we have the most wonderful week lined up at The Grow Forward Project!Whethe...
24/05/2026

☀️ Half term is here, the sun is shining and we have the most wonderful week lined up at The Grow Forward Project!

Whether you're looking for something to do with the family, a bit of time just for yourself, or something fun and different — we've got you covered. Here's what's on:

🍽️ Every day, 9am–4pm — Crafty Cafe is open all week with our brand new extended menu. Come in, stay a while!

Tuesday 26th May
🧶 10am — Make Paper Yarn with Clare from Space to Be Wellbeing CIC
🧘 5:30pm — Chair Yoga with Pip from Western Wellbeing
🌀 7pm — Somatic Yoga with Pip from Western Wellbeing

Wednesday 27th May
🐑 10am — Woolly Wednesdays with Charmain from New Mills Farm
🌿 12pm — Reclaiming The Orchard — extra special this week with Fraser from The National Trust joining us!
🧘 6:30pm — Buddhist Meditation with Danny from TGFP

Thursday 28th May
💛 9:30am — Yoga For Cancer with Lorna May Loves Yoga

🎤 Just a little note to let you know that The Rebel Chorus is taking a half term break this week — even the best voices deserve a rest! 😄

🎶 6pm (not 5.30 as listed!) — Sound Bath with Reiki with Holistic Flow Devon

Friday 29th May
🌅 7pm — Sundown Songs LAUNCH NIGHT with Small town Jones 🎉

Sunday 31st May
🧺 10am — Easy Like Sunday Mornings: Basket Weaving with Jane

And save these dates too! 📌
4th June — Books & Brew
6th June — Summer Sanctuary Yoga & Crystal Bowl Meditation
10th June — Wander Women Evening Walk
18th July — Printmaking Upcycle

Come and find us in Chelfham, EX32 7LA — we'd love to see you! 🌿

Address

Chelfham Mill
Barnstaple
EX327LA

Website

https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/thegrowforwardproject

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