The £41,386 grant will support Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s three-year Nature Tots programme, run by their WildPlay team, which will run weekly term time sessions for families with children under the age of five, living in Ridgemoor, Grange, Gateway and Barons Cross areas of Leominster. In these areas, where families can be economically marginalised, some children can face impacts such as poorer or delayed development, limited opportunity for physical activity (including time outdoors in nature) and barriers to outdoor play.

The sessions will include physical and sensory activities such as playing with the mud kitchen, den building, bug hunting, woodland walks and making mobiles, crowns or tree decorations from natural materials. There’ll be nature-themed storytelling and healthy snacks cooked on the fire at each session.

The programme will support development of social skills like making friends and teamwork, alongside personal skills like attention, problem-solving and curiosity. The Trust follows the principle of child-led play and staff will respond to the children and families’ interests and develop the programme accordingly.

The funding will make a significant difference in the lives of children and their families by supporting the children with improving social skills and personal/independent skills, improved confidence and being more physically active. It will allow enable parents to grow their confidence in playing with their child outdoors.

The grant from Herefordshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s Nature Tots officer Rosa Fernandez said:

“We’re very grateful to Herefordshire Freemasons for their generous grant. Research shows that a poor socioeconomic position can lead to inequalities from an early age. This project will give families a chance to connect with nature, play together as a family and community and develop skills that will support them throughout their children’s early years.”

J Stuart Jones Deputy Head of Freemasonry in Herefordshire said:

“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust with their hugely important project. In today’s world many children simply don’t get experience of the natural world and all the advantages that come with it. The Trust is introducing them to nature study, exercise and all the fun that can be had playing in the countryside.”