National Recognition for Wyre Forest’s First Social Firm
Wyre Forest’s first Social Firm Community Support Initiatives (CSI) has received national recognition for its work in using nature to improve and enhance the lives of vulnerable and socially excluded people from the prestigious Acorn Awards.The Acorn Awards is a national competition that attracted over 200 entries and CSI was one of only 24 shortlisted organisations that went through to the final vote, that was open to public vote, just before Christmas.
The Acorn Awards are presented by Lemos & Crane and highlight projects that generate positive outcomes such as health and wellbeing, new skills and knowledge, new friendships, and a sense of purpose and belonging.
John Ledson the project officer on CSI’s entry Using Nature to Build Cohesive Families said “It’s fabulous to get this level of recognition for our work especially when you realised we were only launched last January and officially started delivering services in April 2011. All the participants really benefitted from this project and because I was working closely with them I could see firsthand the improvements in their physical and mental well being”
The project funded by Worcestershire County Council’s Adult Learning aimed to teach people how to have fun with traditional exploration of nature, whether it is in the garden, at a local pond or a local woodland, allowing people to pass this knowledge onto their own children (remember the days when you brought sticklebacks back in a jar), increasing practical skills through building the equipment needed for pond dipping and bug hunting, to using equipment for coppicing and green woodworking, building shelters and camp fires, and using maps and compasses for developing simple orienteering skills.
Anne Breese the manager of CSI added “we had a range of people who attended who had experienced some awful times in their lives and we hope that we can continue to provide projects like this that really make a difference. It was wonderful to be shortlisted and we hope that next year with more support we can make it into the winners enclosure” CSI hope to be able to gain funding to run the project again in March and throughout the summer months, for further information ring Anne or John on 01562 862757 or email csinitiatives1@gmail.com