Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has applied for funding for family events at Biddulph Grange Country Park as part of the Tesco Stronger Starts community grants programme.

The programme, funded by Tesco and Groundwork UK, allows Tesco shoppers in the northern part of Staffordshire to vote for the projects they’d like to see win funding in their area. In Staffordshire, voting will take place across four different stores in the area:

Tesco Express, High Street, Sandyford

Tesco Express, Fegg Hayes

Tesco Superstore, Kidsgrove

Tesco Express, Audley Stoke-on-Trent

The trust asks local shoppers to consider voting for their project during the voting period from April through to June. If awarded, the grant prize would fund Wildfamilies events at Biddulph Grange Country Park following a successful series of events in the area last summer.

The programme would consist of sessions during school holidays to allow children and their families to try a variety of outdoor activities under the guidance of the Trust’s Wildchild team. Sessions would follow the forest school ethos, centred around child-led learning and free play. This enables children, parents, and carers to enjoy new experiences together while also building their confidence and allowing them to learn new skills.

Louise Taylor, Wildchild Officer for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, says:

“We hope to have the opportunity to encourage even more young people in north Staffordshire to connect with nature and use local green spaces in a positive way. Children need the chance to play and explore in nature. We know that being outdoors in nature promotes improved mental health and wellbeing and it has been shown that connecting with nature from a young age increases children’s ability to deal with stress. If we’re successful in gaining funding, our activities will give families a chance to spend time together outside having fun! Importantly, the sessions will also build confidence levels and equip them with valuable new life skills.”