Big Lottery Fund announces donation to Tortworth Forest Centre

Big Lottery Fund have announced today that they are awarding us a grant to pay for our internship in Sustainable Woodland Management for adults in recovery from addiction.

We are absolutely thrilled that that Big Lottery Fund is supporting our internship project. Not only will this mean we can restore the overgrown arboretum at Tortworth, but it also means we can recruit people who have been out of work for a long time – either for mental health reasons, or struggles with addiction – so that they can gain skills and experience which will help them back into work.

We are working with our partners to deliver a well-rounded year-long internship focusing on sustainable woodland management, including learning to manage veteran trees, managing woodlands for wildlife, and using and maintaining hand tools. They will also gain the confidence to lead teams of volunteers on our monthly conservation days.

The award covers the year long internship and includes funding to pay for personal safety clothing, training from experts, and trips to other woodland projects.

We know that being outside in nature can transform lives, especially for those who have struggled with addiction or mental health. We are very grateful for the support from Big Lottery Fund which has meant that we can make this happen.

This internship will change lives – the lives of the interns who we believe will gain the confidence to move back into paid work – but also the lives of all the people that will be able to come to the arboretum as a result of their work.