Grantee portal 
A grant of £10,997 from the Ivy & Gilbert Purvis Fund at Community Foundation North East has enabled Tyne Rivers Trust to deliver practical conservation work and community engagement activities along the River Don, helping to improve river health while connecting local people with nature.
The funding supported a programme of volunteering opportunities at Newton Garth Farm, encouraging people from across the South Tyneside catchment area to take part in hands-on conservation work. In urban areas, opportunities to engage directly with the natural environment can be limited, making initiatives like this particularly valuable in helping communities develop a stronger connection with local green spaces.
Volunteers contributed to a range of activities designed to improve biodiversity and support the long-term health of the river. This included willow spiling work to help stabilise riverbanks and reduce erosion, as well as planting hedgerows, scrub, woodland and fruit trees across the site. Together, these interventions will help create habitats for wildlife, improve water quality, and enhance the resilience of the local environment.
Alongside the conservation work, the funding helped support the Nature Discovery Festival at Hebburn Riverside Park, delivered in partnership with Friends of Hebburn Riverside Park. The festival included guided walks and activities designed to encourage people of all ages to learn more about the River Don, local wildlife, and the importance of protecting natural habitats.
Pete Barrett, Senior Programmes Advisor at Community Foundation North East, said:
“Projects like this demonstrate the important role local philanthropy can play in protecting our environment while bringing communities together. The River Don is a valuable natural asset for South Tyneside, and this funding has enabled local people to get directly involved in improving and preserving it for future generations.
By creating opportunities for volunteering, environmental education and practical conservation, Tyne Rivers Trust is helping people develop a stronger connection with nature while delivering lasting benefits for local biodiversity and river health.”
Sophia Stovall, Chief Executive Officer at Tyne Rivers Trust, added:
“A grant of £10,997 from the Ivy & Gilbert Purvis Fund supported Tyne Rivers Trust to deliver practical conservation work and community engagement along the River Don. The funding enabled eight volunteering opportunities, helped develop a best-practice equine land management case study, and supported the Nature Discovery Festival at Hebburn Riverside Park. The project has increased local involvement in river conservation and secured the festival’s continuation in 2026.”
This project highlights how environmental conservation can create lasting benefits for both people and nature, supporting healthier ecosystems while encouraging greater community involvement in protecting the region’s natural heritage.