About the Workshops

Blooming Connections brings the joy and therapeutic benefits of flower arranging to aged care and special needs facilities. Our workshops foster inclusivity, cognitive stimulation, and social connection through the art of floral design. By engaging participants in this sensory-rich, creative activity, we aim to enhance well-being, boost moods, and create moments of joy for those who need it most.

Blooming Connections workshops are designed to be inclusive, engaging, and therapeutic for participants of all ages and abilities. Our sessions offer:

1. Inclusive Design: Activities adaptable for various physical and cognitive abilities, ensuring everyone can participate fully.
2. Cognitive Stimulation: Exercises in color selection, design planning, and creative expression to enhance memory, focus, and problem-solving skills.
3. Sensory Experience: Engagement with vibrant colors, varied textures, and natural fragrances to stimulate the senses and evoke positive emotions.
4. Motor Skill Practice: Gentle exercises in cutting, arranging, and adjusting flowers to improve dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
5. Stress Reduction: A calming, mindful practice that promotes relaxation and lifts spirits.
6. Social Interaction: Opportunities for shared creativity, fostering connections and reducing feelings of isolation.
7. Sense of Accomplishment: Creation of beautiful arrangements that boost self-esteem and provide a sense of purpose.
8. Intergenerational Bonding: Options for family members or volunteers to participate alongside residents, strengthening relationships.

Each workshop is led by trained facilitators who understand the unique needs of aged care and special needs participants, ensuring a safe, supportive, and enjoyable experience for all.

What am I raising funds for?

We are seeking funding for a 6-month program to:

1. Launch Blooming Connections workshops in the 5 confirmed aged care facilities (Alino Living and Uniting NSW) and 1 confirmed special needs facility (Coast Care Support) across the Central Coast, NSW.
2. Conduct 3 workshops per week, serving 8-10 participants per session, for a total of 26 weeks.
3. Provide comprehensive workshop experiences, including:
   • High-quality, safe flower arranging supplies suitable for all abilities
   • Fresh flowers sourced from local farmers
   • Skilled facilitator compensation
   • Transportation and logistics to reach facilities, including those in rural and underserved areas
   • Development and implementation of tailored curriculum and training materials for diverse participant needs
4. Cover administrative and miscellaneous expenses such as program management, insurance, and marketing.

Our total funding goal is $55,692 – $69,615, which will allow us to serve 624 – 780 participants over the 6-month period.

How will the funds be used?

Your generous contributions will support our mission to bring joy and therapeutic benefits to aged care and special needs facilities through flower arranging workshops. We already have 5 aged care facilities (Alino Living and Uniting NSW) and 1 special needs facility  (Coast Care Support) ready to host these workshops, with another 6 expressing serious interest, pending funding. Our goal is to run 3 workshops per week for 6 months, serving 8-10 participants per session.

Funding Breakdown:

1. Comprehensive Workshop Costs (95%):
   • $85 per participant, all-inclusive of:
     • Fresh flowers and supplies 
     • Facilitator compensation 
     • Transportation and logistics 
     • Curriculum materials
   • 3 workshops per week, 8-10 participants each
   • 26 weeks (6 months) of programming
   • Total workshop cost: $53,040 – $66,300
2. Administrative and Miscellaneous Expenses (5%):
   • Program management
   • Insurance
   • Marketing and outreach

Total Funding Goal: $55,692 – $69,615

Program Impact:

This funding will allow us to:

• Serve 624 – 780 participants over 6 months
• Provide consistent, high-quality programming to 6 facilities, and growing!
• Create employment opportunities for skilled facilitators
• Develop and implement comprehensive, tailored curricula for diverse needs

Impact of Your Donation:

• $85 sponsors one participant for a full workshop experience
• $680 – $850 funds an entire workshop session
• $2,040 – $2,550 supports a full week of programming across multiple facilities

Every contribution, regardless of size, helps bring the joy and therapeutic benefits of flower arranging to those who need it most. Your support creates moments of beauty, creativity, and connection for individuals in aged care and special needs facilities, enhancing their quality of life and fostering a sense of accomplishment and community.

Future Sustainability:

We intend to use the success of this initial 6-month program as a foundation to secure future funding. By demonstrating the positive impact of these workshops on participants’ well-being, we aim to attract long-term support from additional donors, grants, and community partnerships. This will allow us to continue and potentially expand our program beyond the initial period, reaching more facilities and benefiting a greater number of individuals in need.

About the Founder

Sarah Gradwell: Blooming Connections Founder

Sarah Gradwell’s journey to founding Blooming Connections is a testament to her passion for floristry and her commitment to community service. In February 2024, while pursuing her Certificate 3 in Floristry at TAFE NSW, Sarah launched PRJCT BLOOM ( https://www.prjctbloom.com.au/projects ), leveraging her extensive background in Event Management to create community-driven floral workshops and events.

Sarah’s innovative spirit shone through in March 2024 when she initiated a partnership with a local Foodworks Grocer. Noticing discarded flower bouquets, she began rescuing and repurposing them into posies for a nearby aged care facility. This weekly delivery quickly became the highlight of Sarah’s week, as she witnessed firsthand the joy these flowers brought to residents and staff alike.

This experience, combined with her sister’s work in aged care, sparked the idea for Blooming Connections. Sarah realized the profound impact flower arranging could have on individuals in aged care and those with special needs. Her sold-out “Posy and Prosecco” event in May 2024 further confirmed the community’s enthusiasm for her floral workshops.

As a Social Worker, Sarah brings a unique perspective to Blooming Connections, blending her professional expertise with her newfound passion for floristry. She is a fervent advocate for the therapeutic power of nature and creativity, dedicated to improving lives through inclusive, engaging floral experiences.

Sarah’s mission with Blooming Connections is clear: to create accessible, therapeutic flower arranging workshops that enhance quality of life and foster moments of joy and connection. Her journey from community-minded florist to founder of a purpose-driven organization exemplifies her commitment to using her skills and passions to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Through Blooming Connections, Sarah continues to grow her vision, bringing the beauty and benefits of flower arranging to those who might otherwise miss out on such enriching experiences.