In a bid to enhance the environment in and around the River Ray in Swindon, the River Biss in Trowbridge, and chalk streams like the Wylye, Nadder, and Avon around Salisbury, ambitious plans are in motion, spearheaded by young individuals. The innovative Blue Influencers Scheme has successfully secured funding for 22 charities, including the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, with an annual grant of £20,000 for a three-year period.
This financial support will facilitate the employment of a Blue Mentor, entrusted with the task of recruiting young people, aged 10 to 14, to serve as ‘Blue Influencers'. Empowered by their mentor, these youngsters will initiate and manage social action initiatives aimed at improving the environment within their schools, neighborhoods, and communities.
The Blue Influencers Scheme, a pioneering initiative from The Ernest Cook Trust, endeavors to support young people in overlooked communities and those residing in underprivileged coastal, estuary, and riverside locales. The ultimate goal is to empower them to address environmental and climate issues.
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Valued at £2.25 million, the three-year Scheme is being match-funded by The Ernest Cook Trust and the #iwill Fund, aspiring to engage over 4,000 young individuals as ‘Blue Influencers’, along with more than 15,000 community members across England.
Made possible through a joint investment of £66 million from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the #iwill Fund aims to facilitate access to superior social action opportunities for young people. The Ernest Cook Trust acts as the match funder and disburses grants on behalf of the #iwill Fund.
Notably, the Blue Influencers Scheme is entirely youth-led, with the selection of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and 21 other registered charities being carried out by The Ernest Cook Trust’s Youth Advisory Board, comprising young individuals aged 14-21. Furthermore, the Youth Advisory Board members will oversee the approval of additional funds of up to £5,000 for specific projects.
Ed Ikin, chief executive of The Ernest Cook Trust, expressed confidence in the capacity of the Blue Influencers Scheme to empower young people to take affirmative action. He stressed the enthusiasm and awareness of environmental issues often exhibited by young individuals and reiterated the Scheme’s role in providing them with the necessary funding, platform, and tools to drive positive changes for the community.
Joanna Lewis, CEO of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, shared her delight in securing funding via the Blue Influencers Scheme. She emphasized the opportunity it presents for young people in Trowbridge, Salisbury, and Swindon to form enduring and meaningful connections with their local blue spaces and the natural environment. Through the guidance of the Blue Mentor, they will acquire essential skills to contribute to their community and nurture a sense of responsibility for the surrounding natural world.
With its emphasis on coastal, riverside, and estuary locations, the Blue Influencers Scheme stands as the successor to the three-year Green Influencers Scheme. While both were match-funded by The Ernest Cook Trust and the #iwill Fund, the new Scheme places a significant focus on equipping young people with skills that can enhance their prospects for future employment.
For more information about The Ernest Cook Trust’s Blue Influencers Scheme, visit https://ernestcooktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/green-influencers-scheme/. To learn more about Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, visit https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/.