Wild Dandelion Community Interest Company began as the seed of initiative arising from Cherry Orchards Camphill Community, a long-established residential intentional therapeutic community in North Bristol, in the southwest of England. Cherry Orchards sold their site in November 2020 and the seed began to germinate.
 
In the following years, amidst the chaos and turmoil of the Covid-19 global pandemic, a small group of women stepped forwards to take the spirit that had lived in Cherry Orchards, into the future.
 
They brought with them a vision of creating a new home for the initiative that had lived in the charity; a spirit of community, of service to others, the care of the land and for the fulfilment of the healing potential in personal development, spiritual work and collective responsibility.
 
And so, in the spring of 2024, Wild Dandelion emerged. Rooted in the spirit, impulse and values of Cherry Orchards, we are embarking on a journey with dedication and vision, committed to continuing our legacy of serving and enriching the lives of those around us.

Our Name

You could say that our name found us.  In ‘listening in’ for the name of our newly established company, we spent time artistically exploring inspirations, seeds and roots that we carried with us from Cherry Orchards.

We discovered the words and symbols of plants and nature, movement, hope and togetherness, all rooted in the cycles and circles of development and transformation.

The dandelion is usually considered a weed, undesirable, separated and often removed to make way for other plants deemed “better” or more beautiful. This symbolises the experiences of the barriers faced by the groups of people we aim to support.

So instead we champion the Dandelion; its wildness, its determination to persevere through the many obstacles that it faces, its natural instincts to rise above the asphalt, to bring colour, transformation and a multitude of positive aspects of the human spirit, displayed in one single and singular plant. The dandelion thus feels like a true representation of our efforts.
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Some fun facts about dandelions

​❋ The dandelion can grow just about anywhere 
❋ It is the only flower that represents the 3 celestial bodies of the Sun, Moon and Stars. The yellow flower resembles the sun, the puff ball resembles the moon and the dispersing seeds resemble the stars 
❋ The yellow of the dandelion is associated with the sun and a colour that often represents optimism, hope and joy 
❋ Often considered a weed, every part of the dandelion is useful: root, leaves, milk and flower are used for food, they are full of nutrients and are better for you than most vegetables in your garden. They are also used in medicines and dyes 
❋ The Dandelion flower opens to greet the morning and closes in the evening to go to sleep 
❋ Dandelions are hardy and extensive. They have one of the longest

flowering ​seasons of any plant, crossing annual seasons
❋ Dandelion seeds are often transported away by a gust of wind, travelling like tiny parachutes for great distances. Seeds are often carried as many as 5 miles away from their original source
❋ Animals such as birds, insects and butterflies consume nectar or seed of dandelion and the roots are helpful aerators for the soil
❋ Dandelions have sunk their roots deep into history. They were well known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans and have been used in Chinese traditional medicine for over a thousand years
❋ Dandelions are used in folk medicine to treat infections and liver disorders
❋ Dandelions are, quite possibly the most successful plants that exist, masters of survival worldwide

The dandelion's resilience, adaptability and versatility make it a fitting symbol for our intention to support marginalised groups facing barriers, the strength and courage to survive and thrive in any environment and represent the effort and success of the potential for transformation. 
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We chose the term 'wild' deliberately to recognize the inherent power and natural essence within each of us.  Just like the dandelion, which flourishes in the wild without cultivation, we embrace the untamed potential within ourselves and our community. We are committed to nurturing this intrinsic vitality.

So our name highlights the resilience and strength in both the dandelion and the communities we aim to support. It emphasises our belief in the potential of each individual and the collective efforts of a community to grow, develop and change for the better.
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"The healthy social life is found, when in the mirror of each human soul, the whole community finds its reflection and when in the community, the strength of each one is living” - Rudolf Steiner