Norfolk Wildlife Trust has received a grant of £7,770 from the National Lottery’s Awards for All scheme for its new Children and Nature Project, working with the under-fives at Sure Start centres in Great Yarmouth, Thetford and North Norfolk.
With this one-year pilot project, NWT will introduce children to nature at the start of their lives. The Trust will be working in partnership with Sure Start Children’s Centres in Great Yarmouth, Thetford and North Norfolk, piloting indoor and outdoor nature-focused activities such as monthly interactive sessions, sensory play, nature-themed walks, and improving the centres’ grounds for wildlife.
The project will also work with new parents and carers, who can similarly benefit from being outdoors and in nature. It is due to start in the spring, and full details will be added to NWT’s website.
Chief Executive of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Brendan Joyce said: “This grant is fantastic news for local children and local wildlife. Research shows that children today have far fewer opportunities than previous generations to explore and discover wildlife and spend much less time outside. We are delighted that it gives us the ability to work with Sure Start Centres who do an excellent job engaging the very young and their families.”
This is the first project of NWT’s Children and Nature fund, which was established by NWT Vice President, John Snape and his family to help children and young people enjoy and value the nature that surrounds them in Norfolk. Any money donated to the fund will be used on projects for children and where possible will be used to match fund grants to attract even more support.
Vice President, Norfolk Wildlife Trust John Snape, said “NWT Children and Nature Fund (CAN) is specifically dedicated to enabling children to learn about and experience the natural world, which is something that has become increasingly alien to them. I would invite you to make a contribution to this fund and help connect future generations with the wildlife that surrounds them.”
To support our Children And Nature fund you can donate here