Flow in the Forest is now Limited by Guarantee

Flow in the Forest is now officially a Company Limited by Guarantee! That sounds a bit dry, so here’s what it actually means in human terms.

Flow in the Forest has always existed for community, creativity, skill-sharing, care and connection — not for making money for individuals.

Becoming a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) simply puts that intention into the legal structure of the festival and moving to a CLG structure directly injects that ethos into the bones of how the festival is run.

It’s a way of protecting the event, the people involved, and the values it’s built on, now and into the future.

Why we’ve done this

As Flow in the Forest grows, so do the responsibilities that come with running it — contracts, safety, money, welfare, and accountability.

A Company Limited by Guarantee is the standard UK structure used for community projects, charities, festivals and non-profits. It allows us to operate properly without turning the festival into a profit-driven business.

This structure means:

• Flow in the Forest does not have shareholders
• No one owns the festival as a personal asset
• Any surplus is reinvested back into the event
• The project exists for community benefit, not private gain
• This structure keeps Flow in the Forest aligned with what it already is

Becoming a CGL means that it keeps Flow in the Forest aligned with its purpose, and protects it from becoming something it was never meant to be, because:

• The festival exists for the benefit of the community, not for individual profit
• Any surplus is reinvested back into the event and the people who make it happen
• The project can continue even if organisers change over time
• Decisions are made with long-term care, not short-term gain

What this means for you

From the outside, very little changes — and that’s intentional.

• The festival is still run by the same core humans
• The vibe, values and spirit remain exactly the same
• Tickets, workshops, fire, music, care and chaos all still exist
• This is about stability and protection, not control

What does change is behind the scenes is clearer accountability, better safeguarding of funds, and a structure that allows Flow in the Forest to exist for the long haul.

What this means for the future

Being limited by guarantee allows Flow in the Forest to:

• Grow carefully and sustainably, not endlessly
• Access UK funding, grants and partnerships that support community projects
• Properly support artists, instructors, crew and volunteers
• Avoid pressure to maximise profit at the expense of people
• Exist beyond any single organiser, while keeping its soul and spirit intact

It’s about building something that lasts — without losing its heart and ensure that Flow in the Forest can keep happening — and keep feeling like this.

Friendly FAQ

What is a Limited by Guarantee Company (CLG)?

A CLG is a legal structure designed for projects that exist for community benefit, not private profit. It allows us to operate responsibly, hold contracts, manage money safely, and make decisions in the interests of the community rather than individuals.

Is Flow in the Forest becoming “corporate”?

Nope. If anything, this is a move away from commercial pressure.

This structure protects Flow in the Forest from being forced into profit-first decisions and helps keep it community-led.

Does this mean organisers are getting paid?

Flow in the Forest is not a profit-distribution project.

People may be paid for actual work (as artists, performers, instructors, crew, contractors, etc.), but no one is extracting profit from the festival. Any surplus goes back into making the event better, safer, fairer, and more accessible.

No organisers are paid for their time or efforts and will not be paid in 2025 or 2026, but costs like this website, any tools or software, DJ's, artists and services are paid for by the event and any losses are covered by the organisers.

Will this affect ticket prices?

No direct change.

If prices ever shift, it will be due to real costs (site, safety, infrastructure, fair pay, skilled staff, fabulous performers and instructors), not because of a new legal structure.

Does this change how decisions are made?

It formalises accountability, but the spirit stays the same.

Decisions are still guided by:

• Community wellbeing
• Safety
• Creativity
• Sustainability
• Care for the people involved

This structure simply makes sure those values are protected even as things grow.

Can the community still get involved?

Absolutely — and this helps us do that better.

The CLG structure supports:

• Clearer roles and responsibilities
• Better support for volunteers and crew
• Stronger safeguarding and welfare
• Long-term continuity

Flow in the Forest only exists because of its community.

Is this permanent?

It’s a long-term foundation, not a rigid cage.

The structure can evolve as the community evolves, but the intention is to give Flow in the Forest a stable home that isn’t tied to any one person or moment in time, and may be a first step towards something in future that is still geared towards being not-for profit, but not a CLG like transforming into charity, foundation or a CIC but no decisions have been made about this and it is highly unlikely that this will change.