Earth Trust: Growing Places
Growing Places was a Mend the Gap funded pilot project, run by Earth trust in partnership with Aspire, Oxfordshire. This kickstarter projects aimed to engage with diverse audiences and create the opportunities for them to have better access to nature. This project was an innovative opportunity to test and learn about approaches for engaging a more diverse visitor audience with accessing and participating with the AONB.
The Project - completed
A series of workshops and activity days were set up, including walks, workshops exploring participant’s feelings about green spaces, clearing of ash, visiting lambing sheds and goat and kid handling.
Surveys were collected at beginning and end of the programme to assess the outcomes for participants which showed:
- 70% of responses showed an increased sense of life satisfaction
- 90% of respondents said that they felt more worthwhile
- 100% of respondents said that their happiness increased as a result of the project
There was some great feedback...
“I want to volunteer for the earth trust I really enjoyed it, it is worth doing and I want to come back. I have learnt many new things and everyone is very helpful.”
“I have really enjoyed interaction with all the nature around the clear wide open space the magnificent views so panoramic up here. The lambs were so cute a real show on the circle of life. What another great time spent with the earth trust!”
“It’s nice to get in the fresh air with the group all nice people and a friendly bunch. It was nice to be out in the woods and taking care of it, chopping back the deceased ash so it didn’t infect the other trees. I enjoyed being out in the sun and I’ll definitely be coming again when it’s on again. I’m looking forward to Blenheim Palace next with Aspire.”
