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Community Foundation North East awarded £4,240 from the Northern Powergrid Fund to West End Women and Girls to deliver a year-long programme connecting women and girls with nature in Northumberland.
The funding supported 22 open-access sessions at Fallowlees Farm in Harwood Forest, welcoming almost 400 women and girls. Participants took part in activities such as dry-stone walling, beekeeping, goat milking, birdwatching, foraging, and eco-printing. They also trained in citizen science, using wildlife technology including trail cameras and the Merlin Bird app.
Every woman who attended said that spending time at the Farm had a positive impact on their mental and physical health.
Michelle Hardie, Philanthropy and Development Advisor at Community Foundation North East, said:
“It’s inspiring to see what can happen when funding removes the barriers that prevent people from accessing opportunities like this. Through the Northern Powergrid Fund, we’ve been able to support hundreds of women and girls to spend time in nature, build new skills and strengthen their wellbeing. The difference this programme has made, in confidence, connection and health, is something we’re incredibly proud to be part of.”
Jill Heslop, Farm Development Manager at West End Women and Girls Centre, added:
“We are so incredibly thankful for the support from Northern Powergrid which helped us cover the real costs of running the sessions – things like transport and staff time – so women could get out to the Farm and fully take part. From dry-stone walling to building red squirrel boxes to harvesting wheat, the sessions supported women with the chance to build hands-on skills, spend time in nature and connect with the wilds.”
Find out more about our open funds here.