Prospects have been awarded funding from the Fun With Food and Friends – Hyndburn HAF Programme. We will be delivering the Woodnook Pioneer programme, six outdoor environmental sessions aimed at getting children aged 8-14 to engage with nature and learn about climate change. To book a place for your child, fill out the online form here or email danielle.rowlands@prospectsfoundation.org.uk or ring 01254 230348
Fantastic Funding News!
The PROSPECTS Foundation Natural Connections project has been awarded a grant from the Government’s £40 million second round of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, a multi-million pound boost for green jobs and nature recovery
Ninety nature projects across England have been awarded grants from £68,100 to £1,950,000 to create and retain over 2,500 green jobs, backed by the Government’s £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund.
Work will be carried out on over 600 sites from North Northumberland to the tip of Cornwall, and combined with the first round, almost a million trees will be planted, contributing towards the Government’s commitment to treble tree planting rates across England by the end of this Parliament.
The Prospects Foundation will be using the grant to help connect people to natural green spaces in the borough of Hyndburn. Prospects will recruit one Head Ranger, two trainees and a minimum of 12 volunteers to improve access to local areas and carry out habitat improvements to benefit wildlife. As part of the project Prospects is committed to delivering 500 events and activities and actively engaging with more than 700 local people. This means everyone will have a chance to get involved, enjoy the outdoors and have an opportunity to create deep and meaningful connections with the natural environment.
Phil Barwood, Chair of The Prospects Foundation, said “We’re delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund. We’re excited to be in a position to be able to deliver real benefits to local people and wildlife whilst at the same time helping to train up environmental project staff for the future.”
The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a key part of the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan to kick-start nature recovery and tackle climate change. Connecting people with nature is another priority theme: by increasing access to nature and greenspaces, projects will support both physical and mental wellbeing. The Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. The fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission.
Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, said: “The diverse and ambitious projects being awarded funding today will help environmental organisations employ more people to work on tree-planting, nature restoration and crucially, help more of the public to access and enjoy the outdoors.
“Through our £80 million Fund, we are on track to support over 2,500 jobs, plant almost a million trees and increase nature recovery at a huge scale across the country, which will help us deliver against our 25 Year Environment Plan.”
A full list of awards is available to view here.
#GreenRecoveryChallengeFund #TogetherForOurPlanet
Green Mentor ‘End of Term’ general update
Now that our Green Influencers are breaking up for School holidays, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the Green Mentor project and what has been achieved so far this year and also to showcase the hard work the children have put in working on their chosen projects.
For any local schools who haven’t yet taken up the opportunity to get involved please take a look what you could be part of in the new term.
First up some thank yous are in order!
Thank you to the schools we have worked with this term and who have booked me in for the new term already, a big thank you to the young people for working so hard on their chosen projects, I have had a great time working on them with you and some great memories to cherish.
So what you all really want to know is what have our Green Influencers been up to?
Here are a selection of photos of projects that children have come up with over the last 6 months if you would like more details please click on each schools update.
That’s just a taste of what we have been up to and there will be plenty more to come in the new term.
If you would like your school to be involved please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Kind Regards
Joel Henderson Prospects Green Mentor.
Green Mentor ‘End of Term’ update for St. Andrew’s
Now that our Green Influencers are breaking up for School holidays, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the Green Mentor project and what has been achieved so far this year and also to showcase the hard work the children have put in working on their chosen projects.
St Andrews Oswaldtwistle made a Youtube video about plastic pollution https://www.youtube.
That’s just a taste of what we have been up to and there will be plenty more to come in the new term.
If you would like your school to be involved please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Kind Regards
Joel Henderson Prospects Green Mentor.
Green Mentor ‘End of Term’ update for Broadfield School
Now that our Green Influencers are breaking up for School holidays, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the Green Mentor project and what has been achieved so far this year and also to showcase the hard work the children have put in working on their chosen projects.
Broadfield school have been planting seeds, making eco bricks and they also took a trip to Fleetwood to learn about ocean microplastics and do their bit to stop them!!
That’s just a taste of what we have been up to and there will be plenty more to come in the new term.
If you would like your school to be involved please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Kind Regards
Joel Henderson Prospects Green Mentor.
Green Mentor ‘End of Term’ update for Baxenden St. John’s
Now that our Green Influencers are breaking up for School holidays, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the Green Mentor project and what has been achieved so far this year and also to showcase the hard work the children have put in working on their chosen projects.
Baxenden St Johns have been bag making from textile scraps to highlight fashion waste.
That’s just a taste of what we have been up to and there will be plenty more to come in the new term.
If you would like your school to be involved please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Kind Regards
Joel Henderson Prospects Green Mentor.
Green Mentor ‘End of Term’ update for St. Wulstan’s
Now that our Green Influencers are breaking up for School holidays, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the Green Mentor project and what has been achieved so far this year and also to showcase the hard work the children have put in working on their chosen projects.
St Wulstans Great Harwood made an Elephant Eco Brick Sculpture to highlight single use plastic waste and a seriously endangered animal the Asian Elephant . This project was completed in conjunction with Bob Turner from Cafod.
The Children also drew elephant pictures on elephant dung paper.
That’s just a taste of what we have been up to and there will be plenty more to come in the new term.
If you would like your school to be involved please get in touch we would love to hear from you.
Kind Regards
Joel Henderson Prospects Green Mentor.
Community Fun Day! Saturday 10th July
This Saturday will be our second ‘Community Fun Day!’ at Oakhill Park Incredible Edible Garden.
Following on from our successful Community Fun Day at our office on Broadway in Accrington, Danielle, Joel and Garden with be at the Incredible Edible Garden in Oakhill Park to meet the public and tell them about the fantastic work Prospects Foundation is doing in Hyndburn!
If you would like to come along the team with be there from 10.30am until 1pm with Activities and information.
For any queries please contact Gareth on gareth.muir@prospectsfoundation.org.uk
To sign up as a Volunteer please follow the link to find out more! http://prospectsfoundation.org.uk/volunteering
Nature Sketching
On 28th June, we held a nature sketching event at The Hollins and Jubilee woodland. We explored nature through different sketching techniques. This mindful session allowed participants to relax and appreciate nature and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. One participant said, “It’s good to slow down and observe nature and appreciate it in a different way”.
Growing Together 2021 comes to an end!
Growing Together 2021 has wrapped up for this year, with 1,000 growing packs going out to Hyndburn residents across the borough!
With packs dropped off at schools, community groups and places of worship the project has reached a broad range of people across Hyndburn.
Feedback has been great with lots of great photographs which can be view on the project webpage: https://prospectsfoundation.org.uk/growing-together/growing-together-2021/
Growing Together 2021 Project Officer Gareth Muir will be delivering the Rewilding project for remainder of the year. To get in touch email him at gareth.muir@prospectsfoundation.org.uk
Bike Maintenance Training
All our staff have taken part in basic bike maintenance training! With thanks to Dave from Cycling UK we have learnt how to carry out basic maintenance checks and perform straightforward repairs to ensure all our bikes are ready for the road!
Amongst other things we repaired a puncture, adjusted the brakes and changed a brake cable, checked the gears and carried out an M check. We also learnt how to fit bike helmets properly, so we’re all ready to go!
If you’re interested in borrowing one of our electric bikes then watch this space. Whether you want to get back into cycling, try out cycling to work, or just want to keep up with the kids, then an electric bike might be for you. Further details coming soon.
Martholme Greenway Dawn Chorus Walk
We had a great Dawn Chorus walk along Martholme Greenway on Saturday morning (15th May) despite the rain! It was led by Dave Bickerton and we spotted 36 different bird species in total – well worth getting up for! We walked through Copy Wood and both ways along the Greenway and onto Martholme viaduct. Many thanks to Dave for sharing his expertise.
Here’s the list of species Dave identified from their song:
Robin
Wren
Jackdaw
Chaffinch
Blackcap
Wood pigeon
Crow
Blue tit
Goldfinch
Blackbird
Dunnock
Magpie
Lesser black backed gull
Chiffchaff
Longtailed tit
Willow warbler
Garden warbler
Bullfinch
Coal tit
Lapwing
Redpoll
Greenfinch
Great spotted woodpecker
Mallard
Goosander
Whitethroat
Song thrush
Great tit
Swallow
Oystercatcher
Stock dove
House martin
Treecreeper
Starling
Collared dove
House sparrow
Habitats & Heritage Project Officer Recruitment
We’re currently recruiting for a project officer to run our ongoing Habitats & Heritage programme.
If you’re interested please visit our Job Opportunities page where you’ll find all the documents and information you’ll need to submit an application.
The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Bank Holiday Monday 31st May 2021.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 10th June.
Whinney Hill Dawn Chorus Walk
We held our first Dawn Chorus Walk early on Sunday (2nd May) morning up at the Whinney Hill woodlands in Accrington.
The walk was led by Dave Bickerton and we had five people attending under the covid regulations.
It was a lovely morning and all who attended seemed to enjoy it. We also learnt how to identify some birds from their birdsong.
Below is a list of birds that Dave identified, and where on the site:
Main path from Cricket Club to Livingstone Road
Wren
Blackbird
Jay
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Song Thrush (serenading from a tree top)
Robin
Dunnock
Great Spotted Woodpecker (flying above)
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Bullfinch
Going up the 59 steps
Willow Warbler
Whitethroat
On the top meadow
Garden Warbler
Redpoll
By the Pond
Long tailed tits
Goldfinch
We also saw 2 Roe Deer, a black rabbit and a cat!
Dawn Chorus Walks
Click on the link to book a place on one of our Dawn Chorus Walks
Science Week
Science week 2021 celebrated science, technology, engineering and maths from 11-20th March. Outdoor Learning Officer created a “How To Build a Bug Hotel” video for the Year 7 pupils of St. Christopher’s C. of E. High School. Here’s one of the wonderful bug hotels they made!
Volunteering and Activities
Click on the link to get details of our volunteering opportunities and our planned activities as we come out of lockdown. Activities
Whinney Hill Video
Click on the link to see a video tour of Whinney Hill, one of the woodlands in the Hyndburn’s Woodland Project. Whinney Hill
Solar meadow webinar video now online
On Thursday 11th February we ran an online webinar with Sharenergy informing people about the results of our stage 1 feasibility study into the creation of a solar PV meadow on land we own at Coach Road in Oswaldtwistle.
Dave Green of Sharenergy hosted the webinar and Phil Barwood, Chair of Prospects, was also answering questions. We had just under 30 people attending the webinar and it last 1 hour 20 minutes.
The first 30 minutes consists of Dave Green outlining the proposal and the results of the feasibility study. The remainder of the video (50 minutes) is a Q&A session with people asking various questions about the scheme. The feasibility scheme has been funde dby the Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) with is administered in Lancashire by the Local Energy North West Hub.
Link to the webinar on Youtube
Woodland Signs
The woodlands that make up the Hyndburn’s Woodlands Project are now easy to identify as we have put signs up at them. Find out more about them here Hyndburn’s Woodlands