Sunflower Studio Community Interest Company
Empowering local communities through accessible well-being, creativity, and holistic living from Brighton's vibrant North Laine and beyond!
Why We Exist
Community Empowerment
Offering access to wholesome remedies, products and services that nourish mind, body and soul whilst supporting local residents
Holistic Well-being
Supporting individuals in discovering vitality-boosting practices through natural health, creative expression, and spiritual growth
Conscious Movement
Building a movement that values conscious consumption, ecological balance, and personal growth leading to collective empowerment
Well-Being Hub
Natural Health Products
We stock natural remedies including CBD oil, 100% hemp vapes, cannabinoid resins and teas, plus ceremonial-grade cacao and wellness tools like frankincense, balms and more!
Plant-Based Refreshments
Our menu features organic options like hemp lattes, kombucha, fresh orange juice, and ceremonial cacao, all made with local mineral water sourced in Sussex.
Community Services
We offer signposting for services such as hemp and fungi consultations, well-being events, and themed social gatherings that foster meaningful connections within the local community.
Our Story
🌻 Sunflower Studio grew from a simple but heartfelt idea: that a space could exist in the city where people feel nourished creatively, spiritually, and physically. It began to take shape in the summer of 2022 and officially opened with a vibrant Autumn Equinox gathering that September. Since then, the studio has become a cosy corner in Brighton’s North Laine — a place where workshops, pop-ups, shared rituals and spontaneous connections naturally unfold. A place where people come together to create, to heal, and to just be. Local artists filled the walls. Herbal brews warmed many hands. Conversations sparked ideas that turned into projects.
From the beginning, Sunflower Studio has been shaped by the people who’ve passed through its doors. Facilitators, friends, neighbours, curious passers-by, each adding something of themselves. It’s never been about a single idea or one single vision. It’s a shared rhythm, an above ground living network of energy.
When the Rain Came In 2024, a severe leak from heavy storms damaged the space and brought things to a halt. It wasn’t the first challenge, and sure won’t be the last. But what happened next was something special and a testament to healthy community… People showed up. With offers of help, messages of encouragement, donations, time and care. That outpouring of support reminded everyone why spaces like this matter.
The time away offered space to reimagine. What emerged is a refreshed Sunflower Studio, a warm, welcoming well-being hub open daily as usual, offering organic refreshments, alternative health products and a everyday community base for locals. There’s a focus on accessible nourishment, plant-based health, locally sourced water and intentional conscious consumption. Think: hemp lattes, ceremonial cacao, CBD oils, mineral-rich spring water, fungi and cannabis consultations, themed socials, signposting to aligned services and all year round good cheer. A hub for people who value living in harmony and dare to share with others their time and energy.
Meanwhile, the roots are still growing. Projects like Sunflowers.Cloud (a digital community platform), a Substack newsletter (soon to be a printed zine), partnerships with local saunas, small ethical businesses and outdoor spaces are all part of this unfolding story. Sunflower Studio isn’t just a simple studio. It’s a pulse that quietly but surely keeps space open for connection, creativity and collective care in the heart of our most beautiful and sacred city.
🌻 Grass Roots
The seeds of Sunflower Studio started to be sown in summer 2022 with a heartfelt vision. A space where people feel nourished creatively and spiritually.
Opening with an Autumn Equinox gathering, it became Brighton's joyful cosy space, where workshops, rituals and connections naturally unfold.
1
Summer 2022
Vision takes shape for nourishing space of well-being, creativity and spirituality
2
Autumn 2022
Vibrant Autumn Equinox opening celebration brings local creatives and thought leaders together
3
Spring 2023 - Summer 2024
Communities in the Sunflower network start to find their roots: projects blossom, connections strengthen, visions expand
4
Autumn - Winter 2024
Severe storm damage forces Sunflower Studio to close its doors and community support helps strengthen CIC resilience
5
Spring 2025 - Renewal and Expansion
Refreshed as daily well-being hub with new team members and a passionate drive to recover financially, emotionally and communally
Digital Empowerment
Developing digital platform for local empowerment, connecting communities online in a conscious digital space
Newsletter zine in development with soft launch on Substack, sharing community stories and insights
Creative Tools
Exploring digital art, NFTs and crypto coins to empower conscious engagement with digital realms
Meet Our Team
Grace - Co-organiser & Executive Director
Holistic facilitator and education professional with a background in international human rights law. Long-standing resident of Brighton, dedicated to community empowerment, ritual practices, and social justice initiatives.
James - Co-organiser & Managing Director
A seasoned professional in the cannabis industry with extensive experience in health and well-being. Having established vegan retail outlets and introduced plant-based products, he offers practical expertise and forward-thinking insights to our community.
Samara - Co-organiser
Cacao Specialist and CIC Consultant, Samara has been a dedicated supporter of Sunflower Studio since its inception. She is a thoughtful and valued member of the community, consistently willing to contribute her time and expertise to workshops and events.
Oli - Co-organiser
Mycologist and cannabis specialist with extensive experience in the health and wellness industry. Oli has dedicated many years to educational initiatives promoting the benefits and scientific understanding of functional mushrooms.
Matt - Co-organiser & Creative Director
As Chief Officer of Enthusiasm, Matt fosters a positive work environment and is a skilled networker with strong outreach skills. Professional artist "Artist Dotty" leads a movement to unify sustainability, art, and peace through wearable creations and community collaboration.
Dana - Treasurer
Responsible for overseeing the CIC's financial management, including budgeting, reporting, and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance. Also, a dedicated sound healer, artisan crafter, and lifelong learner committed to growth.
Jules
Starting as our social media intern, Jules has gradually grown her expertise in marketing, offered guidance on Zine-related topics, and actively contributed to our promotional efforts.
Guy
Visionary and mindful AI specialist with hands-on experience as a member of the Sunflower mission from its early stages. Contributed to organising Kirtan events and supporting various well-being initiatives.
Angelo
Local friend who's always supportive and helpful! Angelo also hosts creative workshops with the backing of Grace Eyre, a local charity dedicated to helping people with learning disabilities and autistic individuals live the lives they truly want.
Kris
Chef and creative force behind Eliza Pizzeria, champions a vibrant, inclusive Brighton community. Merging culinary innovation with cultural energy, he transforms the pizzeria into a hub for art, collaboration, and local connection. Outside the kitchen, Kris energizes events as a DJ, supporting artists and fostering a welcoming, inspiring space for all.
Laura
Laura, artist and sustainability advocate, uses design and art education to promote eco-conscious innovation. Passionate about industrial hemp in fashion, she aims to reduce environmental impact. She also hosts events at Eliza Pizzeria and Creative Club Brighton to inspire local artists and foster community creativity.
Clark
Clark French’s MS diagnosis in 2010 spurred his advocacy for medical cannabis, which he has championed publicly through parliamentary delegation and activism. In 2011, he founded the UK’s largest volunteer-led medical cannabis support group, the United Patients Alliance.
Lucy
Lucy offers compassionate emotional support as a therapist in training, creating a safe, nonjudgmental space for individuals to explore challenges, build resilience, and begin their journey toward healing and growth.
When We're Open
Monday-Sunday
Hub operates throughout the week offering products, refreshments, and community services
Saturday Special
Especially vibrant due to outdoor street market on Upper Gardner Street - ideal for community engagement
Digital Activities
Online events and community outreach via Sunflower.Cloud and Substack run continuously
Where to Find Us
Physical Hub
Upper Gardner Street in Brighton's lively North Laine neighbourhood
Digital Platforms
Sunflower.Cloud, Substack newsletter, and arts gallery.x virtual space
Nature Collaborations
Outdoor spaces for events, local saunas for healing, and community partnerships
Digital Innovation
NFTs, digital currencies, and community crypto tools exploration
Our Mission Statement
"Wellbeing Empowerment For All."
The object of the Company is to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular to the local community by providing accessible and affordable services that promote well-being, creativity, and personal growth. By prioritising the needs and interests of local residents, and through local sourcing and employment, the company is contributing to the local economy and creating a vibrant, healthy, and connected community where all members can thrive.
Visit us at sunflowerstudio.space or sunflowers.cloud to join our growing community of conscious creators and wellness enthusiasts.