A new grant programme aimed at helping young people connect with nature has been launched by the Ernest Cook Trust, one of the UK’s leading educational charities.
The Communities Grant is being piloted in Swindon, Gloucestershire, and Bristol, with the aim of supporting charities and non-profit organisations in providing outdoor opportunities for underserved communities.
Targeting young people aged 11 to 19—or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)—the grant offers funding of £500. This can be used for travel costs to reach natural spaces, or to purchase essential equipment such as waterproofs and wellies, removing some of the common barriers to outdoor engagement.
The funding can also support the creation or enhancement of community nature areas, such as sensory gardens, ponds, or raised beds. Organisations can further use the grant for resources like bird boxes or materials to facilitate outdoor activities.
Suzie Paton, Director of Learning, Grants & Partnerships at the Ernest Cook Trust, commented: “We are very excited to launch our new Communities Grant. We believe it gives us another opportunity to reach young people, in the same way that our Outdoor Essentials Grant has been so successful in giving schoolchildren living in underserved communities the opportunity to connect with nature and experience the benefits of Outdoor Learning.”
Research shows that children’s connection to nature can decline from the age of 11, making this initiative particularly timely. The Communities Grant could play a significant role in reversing this trend by providing practical and inspiring ways for young people to engage with the natural world.
Charities and non-profits in eligible postcodes (SN, GL, or BS) are encouraged to apply. For further details, visit the Ernest Cook Trust’s website.
