Carrier bag funding set to help families explore their wild neighbourhood at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust and Southern Co-op are joining forces again to help local families get out and about in nature in the My Wild Neighbourhood campaign.

Research by The Wildlife Trusts has found that over three-quarters of parents were concerned that children don’t spend enough time interacting with nature and wildlife.

The My Wild Neighbourhood campaign is supported by proceeds from the carrier bag charge, distributed by Southern Co-op to local community causes. This year’s funding is supporting the Wildlife Trust’s monthly Nature Tots sessions for pre-school children at the Nature Discovery Centre in Thatcham.

Jone Ayres, Community Engagement officer at the Centre is looking forward to the sessions this autumn: “The excitement and curiosity of our Nature Tots, whether they’re playing in the mud, or seeing a grasshopper up close for the first time, is infectious and always makes my day. These moments are priceless and may spark a lifetime’s love and interest in wildlife.   BBOWT is so grateful to the Southern Co-op for their generous grant of £2,300. This is helping us to inspire youngsters, who may one day grow up to become the David Attenborough or Michaela Strachan of the future!”

Jessica Hughes, Communications and Community Engagement Manager for Southern Co-op said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Wildlife Trusts’ work to help families get in touch with nature, because we believe in putting funds back in the communities that helped to raise them.“