The service, based in Walker, is known locally as The Bostey.  It plays a leading role in planning and developing projects in the east end of the city with its services aimed at local families, children, and young people.

Now, the 26 young people, aged between 10 and 14 and known locally as the Bostey-Eco Warriors have joined forces with Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Green Mentor to improve the youth club’s garden for wildlife and to make it more accessible for the local community.

The group wants to ‘give back to Walker’ and inspire more people to do something positive for their local area and its resident wildlife. 

The Bostey Eco-Warriors have already run community litter picking and gardening events over the past year but are all set for a busy 2023, creating nature-friendly activity spaces with seating areas and fire pits for outdoor cooking and storytelling sessions.  It is estimated that over 700 people using the space will be able to benefit from the outdoor learning opportunity.

The generous grant will also enable them to plant fruit, wild flowers, herbs and vegetable next spring as well as make bird-feeding stations to encourage more feathered friends to make Walker their home.

Liz Heard, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Green Mentor says:

“As one of the least affluent areas in Newcastle, opportunities to explore and connect with nature in Walker are low, so you can understand what a pleasure it’s been to support the Bostey Eco-Warriors’ vision and plans. I’m really looking forward to seeing their ideas come to life in 2023.

“To see the young people so driven and passionate about helping their community is inspiring to us all and I’m sure it won’t be too long before they are rallying the whole Walker community behind them.”

Dr Victoria Edwards OBE, Ernest Cook Trust’s Chief Executive says:

“The Green Influencers Scheme is having a big impact across the country and the additional grants of around £5,000 for specific projects are helping to underpin the excellent work being done by our Green Mentors and the Green Influencers. These young people really are making a difference in their communities.” 

The Ernest Cook Trust is one of the UK’s foremost funders and providers of outdoor learning. It runs outdoor learning opportunities for children, young people, their families and communities on its own land as well as with partner estates. Every year, it also gives out thousands of pounds in grants, to further outdoor learning. 

The Green Influencers Scheme is match-funded through the #iwill Fund. The #iwill Fund is made possible thanks to £66 million joint investment from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to support young people to access high quality social action opportunities. The Ernest Cook Trust is acting as a match funder and awarding grants on behalf of the #iwill Fund.