New funding for Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre

Outdoor centre receives funding to provide additional services for local children

Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre is delighted to have received £1,000 from The Co-operative Bank’s Customer Donation Fund, which will be used to provide affordable wraparound childcare services for schools and parents, via the centre’s after-school adventure clubs.

The seven different adventure clubs were established during autumn 2020 and regularly have over 100 local children participating every week*.  The weekly sessions are heavily subsidised, as one of the centre’s core objectives is to provide affordable opportunities to enable young people to participate in healthy recreational activities, which support their physical and mental wellbeing. 

The centre, which has been providing outdoor education services since 1964, relies on funding such as this to enable it to meet its objectives and continue providing local children with opportunities, which would otherwise not be obtainable. 

Mike Fawcett, Director of Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust, said: “The pandemic has brought many challenges to our outdoor education service but, rather than thinking of what we couldn’t do, we have been focusing on all the opportunities that are still out there, and even creating new ones.  This has been essential in keeping children fit and well, both physically and mentally, particularly during these challenging times.

“Since emerging from the first national lockdown, we have adapted and evolved to create new courses and experiences to provide local children, families and schools with a variety of day visits, holiday clubs and after-school clubs.  Spring term 2021*, will see the introduction of our school curriculum courses, which will take place on school grounds and in the local vicinity and support teachers in delivering the PE national curriculum.  We are ever more reliant on support from organisations, such as The Co-operative Bank, and this donation is a great boost to our fundraising.”

To find out more about the services and activities available at Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre, visit www.longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk.


*  Subject to coronavirus restrictions / lockdown