This time last year, we had just found out that Natural Habitat secured funding from Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths, for a year-long, multifaceted project. Connecting local children and diverse communities with the Blyth Valley
landscape.
To say that funding has been transformational for us, and for the many people we have worked with, is an understatement.
As a small, new charity, that funding has been pivotal in building vital connections within our community, sharing skills, learning and a whole lot of joy.
Over the last month, we have been going back into the schools we have worked to create opportunities for the children to curate their own Sharing Sessions. These sessions were used to showcase their experiences and share the skills they have learnt with us in 2024. Pupils invited parents and friends to come along and view the exhibitions they created, and participate in the activities they were leading.
When we asked our pupils ‘Do you think that all children should get the opportunity to do the project you have just finished?’ 100% said YES!
‘…It’s just been the best. I think all children should get to do this project so that we all know how to look after our environment.’ Pupil from Ilketshall St Lawrence Primary
Thankfully, the work doesn’t stop here. While we are working hard to fundraise for a full programme of activity, we have already managed to gain support from both East Suffolk Council and Suffolk Community Foundation to take this work to additional pupils, for initial connection sessions. After a little festive break, we will head back out into local schools for more learning from the land. You can now support our vital work to break down barriers in learning from the landscape via our new Donate page which can be found here.
In the new year we are also looking forward to developing our work with diverse communities. Earlier this month, we had the privilege of running a session with Suffolk Refugee Support at the first ever Suffolk Food Summit. This was hosted by the new CAS Food Partnership at the brilliant Food Museum in Stowmarket, and was attended by communities, NGO’s, growers, farmers, producers, councilors and many more.
Our session focused on celebrating diversity, in nature, food and communities. This was a useful opportunity for us to look back on our Landscape Connection sessions from earlier in the summer, and collectively explore what might come next. A team of amazing women, all clients of Suffolk Refugee Support, were supported by our chef Lola DeMille to create delicious samosa, curry and relish inspired by our collective landscape.
‘Wonderful. I came into the session and the atmosphere wasn’t only filled with amazing smells, but it was just full of positivity.’ Food Summit attendee.
You will also notice, if you are reading this, that we have a lovely new website! The timing couldn’t be better as we finalise our Landscape Record film and resources which will be shared very soon.
We want to say a massive thank you, once again to Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths for funding the build of our site, but also to WMH&I, who have worked closely with us and Woodbridge Web to develop our branding and the look of the new website.
