A Cumbrian arts organisation has been awarded £10,000 to help people reconnect with nature.
The Laal Collective was given the cash by The National Lottery Community Fund to run Seeds of Hope, a project in partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
It aims to offer an opportunity for people to reconnect with nature and have fun with art forms that both celebrate them and our natural world.
The funding will establish a Youth Theatre for neuro diverse young people as well as create opportunities to bring together different groups of people in a community wildlife garden.
The Laal Collective said Using traditional stories of flora and fauna, the young people will celebrate the importance of nature, by engaging with the plants and wildlife in the garden at Gosling Sike, Houghton to create a promenade performance to celebrate Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s 60th anniversary as part of its Arts in Nature celebration.
As part of Seeds of Hope, there will also be free family friendly events that will use the arts to encourage conversation about what matters to individuals and communities, particularly in relation to helping the natural world.
Vicki Maxfield, The Laal Collective director, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can establish a youth theatre that allows young people to engage with the arts and nature.
“Our experience allows us to work in a collaborative and supportive way that helps the young people find their confidence and leads to an increase in their health and wellbeing. This will make a big difference to people’s lives.”
Youth Theatre sessions will run at Gosling Sike, Houghton, Carlisle, on Wednesdays from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
An introduction session will run on Wednesday 16th February at 4.30pm. For more information, email [email protected] or call Vicki on 07488396900.
