When we formed the Nature of Learning Foundation in January 2023, our bank balance was one pound. One. We had a constitution, a lot of passion, and absolutely no idea whether anyone would fund what we were trying to do.
Two years of volunteering, policy-writing, grant applications (some successful, many not), and a lot of evenings around kitchen tables later -- we got the call.
The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded us a grant.
What this means
We can now fund 1:1 support workers for children with SEND who need dedicated support to attend Forest School safely. We can subsidise session fees for families who can't afford them. We can do this across three weekly groups, supporting around 14 children every term.
These are children with autism, ADHD, PDA and severe anxiety. Children who are home-educated because school didn't work for them. Young carers. Children out of school with nowhere else to go. For many of them, Forest School is the only group activity they can access.
Thank you
Thank you to National Lottery players for making this possible. And thank you to our trustees -- every single one a volunteer -- who built this foundation from nothing because they believed every child deserves to experience the magic of learning in nature.
We'll be sharing impact reports as the funded sessions begin. Watch this space.