The Ernest Cook Trust’s Outdoor Essentials Grant has now given out more than £1 million to thousands of pupils since it was set up. 

Children in wellies

There are three rounds of funding each year - the next is expected to open in April/May this year. 

UK educational charity The Ernest Cook Trust launched the Outdoor Essentials Grant in 2019, and since then many pupils and hundreds of schools have benefited.

The grant can help teachers and educational visits coordinators (EVCs) cover travel costs to get to natural open spaces or pay for kit like wellies and waterproofs for the children to wear. 

“We want to get to the point where it’s nationally understood that being in nature is a fundamental good for everybody, and that everyone deserves the chance to spend the time in nature.”

Ed Ikin, chief executive, The Ernest Cook Trust

The most recent Outdoor Essentials Grants round was given an additional boost from the Aurora Trust, a grant-making charity and one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts. The Aurora Trust generously match-funded the £90,000 put in by The Ernest Cook Trust, bringing the total for that round to £180,000.

How does the Outdoor Essentials Grant work? 

Qualifying primary and special schools can apply for a £500 grant, with £1,000 available for secondary schools.

Priority is given to schools located in areas of high deprivation and/or with pupils living in challenging circumstances, as well as to schools which regard outdoor learning and environmental engagement as an important part of education.

The next round is expected to be open in April/May 2024. 

Hiking on a residential

The grant can be used to fund kit for primary and secondary school students to help them get connected with nature. 

Ed Ikin, chief executive of The Ernest Cook Trust, said: “There’s a really compelling body of evidence to show that time in nature, especially time in nature when we feel properly connected to it, has massive mental and physical health benefits. We want to get to the point where it’s nationally understood that being in nature is a fundamental good for everybody, and that everyone deserves the chance to spend the time in nature.

“There is always a very high take-up every time we issue a funding round and are very grateful that, on the last occasion, we were able to partner with the Aurora Trust to double the funds available.”

For more information visit ernestcooktrust.org.uk

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