New recruits with vision for Wolverhampton activity centre
Making nature accessible to all communities is the goal of the newest additions to a city wildlife reserve.
Mark Hand and Manni Kaur have taken on roles with Wildside Activity Centre in Wolverhampton, as part of a £390,000 National Lottery-funded project set to take place over the next five years.
This funding from the National Lottery Community Fund will enable the centre to continue its work with people with additional needs.
It will provide more than 60 activity sessions and boat trips each year for people with disabilities and extra activities for children and families around the Smestow Valley.
Mr Hand was appointed business development manager at the end of August and is responsible for generating income and making the charity more sustainable in the long term.
The 55-year-old said the centre was a fantastic resource and spoke about the work needed to make its future more secure.
He said: "When you have something like this on your doorstep and you don't know about it, it means having to raise its profile with the local communities.
"That means letting the community know it's here, but also work with the local authority and business community to say this is something we can tap into to develop.
'Invaluable'
"Obviously, with Covid and lockdown, that becomes more difficult as they have their own agendas for survival, but we will build those relationships slowly as a long-term project."
Mrs Kaur has taken on the role of project organiser, working to organise activities and events for the groups covered by the award.
The 41-year-old said she had always loved nature and described the power of nature's healing effect as very therapeutic.
She said: "I think nature and being outdoors is so vital as it allows people to converse in the open air and enjoy the surroundings.
"We've got a generation of children who are glued to their screens and also miss out on the social impact of human communication, so a place like this is invaluable.
"Our aim is to bring everyone from every walk of life, background, age or ability to this place and use a form of green prescribing to help them enjoy nature and help themselves."
Wildside Activity Centre will remain closed during the current lockdown, but will work to develop activities going forwards when it can reopen.
To find out more, go to wildsideac.co.uk
