Young people from across Wiltshire are benefiting from new opportunities to engage with nature following funding from the Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy (WWCE) Fund Group.
Last year the Group was pleased to award nearly £5,000 to Seeds 4 Success, a youth work charity based in south west Wiltshire that aims to support the personal development of young people through the delivery of training and practical volunteering opportunities. The charity works closely with local communities and landowners, Parish Councils, the South West Wiltshire Community Area Board, county youth work charity Youth Action Wiltshire, and other community groups.
The grant awarded to Seeds 4 Success is funding school holiday and reward sessions for mainly secondary-school-aged young people, including students with special educational needs and disabilities. Sessions are based around learning woodwork skills and carrying out practical nature conservation tasks such as tree planting, footpath maintenance, and riverbank clearance and restoration. Some groups are also learning how to make nest boxes, bug houses and bird feeders.
In addition to the skills and knowledge gained at these sessions, young people learn more about the environment and develop teamwork, co-operation, problem-solving, and project management skills. The work carried by the young people also provides lasting benefits for local communities in the form of more accessible and welcoming outdoor social spaces.
Peter Newell, Chair of the WWCE Fund Group, said:
“We’re delighted to be funding a project which is having such a positive impact on local young people, communities and the environment.”
WWCE develops renewable energy projects to protect and enhance wildlife habitats and biodiversity in Wiltshire. The projects reduce the impact of climate change and increase energy security whilst at the same time generating significant community benefit and supporting the local economy.
Surplus funds generated by WWCE solar farms go into a community fund which community groups in Wiltshire can apply to use. Criteria for eligible projects supported through the community fund include wildlife conservation, climate change mitigation, carbon reduction and reducing fuel poverty.
To find out more visit www.wwce.org