At the start of June FSC Kids Fund considered 7 applications. All the requests were strong but three stood out and fit FSC’s aspiration to inspire everyone to be curious, caring and passionate about our environment.
Leeds City College is bringing 12 students aged 16-25 years old who are focusing on the Independent Living Pathway. They have learning difficulties and disabilities and are striving to increase their independent living at home and in the garden. They want to improve their knowledge of the environment and where food comes from. The staff have aspirations to help the young people enjoy being outdoors and feel comfortable in the countryside.
Another group from Yorkshire will also benefit from support from Kids Fund this year. Bradford College, like Leeds City College support 16-25 year olds and they are going to bring some of their high needs students to FSC Malham Tarn for a day visit to increase their understanding of woodlands and how plants grow. The college students are involved in a great project called ‘classroom without walls’ which is creating an outdoor learning space which is used by local schools and this day visit to FSC is the start of widening the horizons of their outdoor learning.
And finally another interesting group will be visiting Millport to support their wellbeing through spending time in the natural environment. The young people who will benefit are experiencing chaotic lives with an uncertain short term future as they live alongside their mums in a women’s refugee, sheltering from domestic abuse. The aspirations of the group is to use short breaks, with a focus upon the natural world, to create positive relationships amongst family members.
FSC Kids Fund remains open to applications but from now on we will make awards in November and March only. The % grant intervention is 75% to a maximum of £3000 per group and first time applicants will be prioritised. In the June 2019 round the fund offered grant funding of £4503 to support 62 children and young people. This fund helps FSC to support those most in need to be curious, caring and passionate about the natural world.
Jennie Comerford