Cherry Trees is on a mission to make it easier for children and young adults with a disability to have the freedom to express themselves through their clothing and style choices. Not everyone has the choice to wear what they want to wear. For the children and young adults that come to Cherry Trees there can be a number of barriers. Physical barriers such as being tube fed or a wheelchair user. Practical barriers like needing regular access to the body or needing to wash clothes more often. And, financial barriers too, as life costs around £600 a month more for disabled people and their families. There are 6,300 children with a disability in Surrey and we want to ensure they have the opportunity to express themselves. We will - 1. Run free-to-attend workshops to build the skills and confidence to adapt clothing 2. Empower self-expression and showcase adaptive clothing at our Self-Expression Safari 3. Raise awareness and funds to enable further training, education and campaigning

What we'll deliver:

• Run free-to-attend monthly workshops
• Host a free-to-attend Self-Expression Safari
• Raise awareness across schools and community groups and within the fashion industry

Why it's a great idea:

Cherry Trees, together with Frensham Heights School and a growing group of volunteers, have been running free-to-attend monthly workshops since January. More than 100 attendees and volunteers from across Guildford and Surrey, across schools and colleges, from within the fashion industry and from all ages and abilities have already attended. The workshops introduce adaptive clothing and promote reusing or upcycling clothes. They provide practical hands-on introductions to sewing, tie-dying, patterning and styling. They also help build confidence and empower self-expression. The Self-Expression Safari will bring this to the masses. With your support, this can be a free-to-attend event showcasing individuality and inclusivity. The day will include a parade and showcase of adaptive clothing, mini-workshops, fashion stalls, music, food and more. Most importantly, the day will promote understanding to all that attend, and empower children and young adults to be themselves.

Steps to get it done:

• Deliver the free-to-attend Self-Expression Safari on 10 June 2023
• Deliver monthly free-to-attend workshops from Jan 2023 to June 2023 as a minimum
• Reuse or upcycle 40kgs of clothing

We are already seeing the benefit of the workshops and want to build on this to reach more people across Guildford and Surrey. Your support will help us reach and inspire more people. Your support will also ensure the workshops and Self-Expression Safari can remain free to attend. Thank you