Cllr David Munro, Mayor of Waverley, has selected Huckleberries as his official Mayoral Charity for the year ahead, culminating in March 2027. The Mayor praised the organisation for its transformative work in supporting the emotional wellbeing of local children aged 6–12 from Godalming and surrounding villages.
'I am so pleased to name Huckleberries as my Mayoral Charity for the year. They do fantastic work with children throughout Waverley and beyond and deserve all the support they can get. Huckleberries' staff, aided by wonderfully dedicated volunteers, provide essential help for young people who are struggling with emotional wellbeing challenges, and have been instrumental in turning so many lives round. Long may their efforts continue!'
Huckleberries is a local mental health and education charity based in Elstead. Since 2019 it has supported over 400 children, offering free alternative provision to those who have no other support in place. Over 70% of children attend completely free of charge; the charity also works with a small number of children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan, funded by the Local Authority. The charity specialises in helping children who ‘just about survive rather than thrive’ in mainstream school due to anxiety, low self-esteem, autistic or ADHD burnout, childhood trauma, or difficult family circumstances.
Support is delivered through the charity’s Nurture Farm and Wild Learning Centre, where children attend in small groups, guided by experienced staff and skilled volunteers. Many arrive feeling overwhelmed, withdrawn, or disconnected from education and community life. In the calm outdoor setting, with access to animals and the freedom to lead their own leaning, children begin to rebuild their confidence, connection, and trust at their own pace.
Bev Cook, Founder and CEO of Huckleberries, said
'We are thrilled that the Mayor has chosen Huckleberries as his Mayoral Charity. Every member of our team plays a part in creating a space where children feel safe enough to flourish, rediscovering the confidence to be themselves and reconnect with the world around them. This recognition also gives us a real opportunity to advocate for them at Council level, to make sure their voices are heard and their needs are acknowledged.'
Cllr Munro recently visited Huckleberries where he met some of the children, spent time with the animals and explored Basecamp. He was particularly impressed by the charity’s holistic approach and the enthusiasm of its team. He is now exploring practical ways to support Huckleberries throughout his term, further strengthening the bond between the Mayor’s office and the charity.
About Huckleberries
Huckleberries is a local mental health and education charity based in Elstead, supporting children aged 6–12 from Godalming and surrounding villages who are experiencing emotional wellbeing challenges. Since 2019, the charity has supported over 400 children through its Nurture Farm and Wild Learning Centre, helping them rebuild confidence, connection, and trust in a calm, outdoor setting, and supporting self-directed purposeful learning, to find their way back to education. Their website is www.huckleberries.org.uk.