We are thrilled to announce that the Rolls-Royce 2018 Fund has selected three projects to support under the ‘Children and the Great Outdoors’ theme.
A government report in February 2016, found that more than one in nine children had not set foot in a park, forest, beach or any other natural environment for at least a year. A separate study published in March 2017, found that children from poorer backgrounds were less interested in being outdoors in nature than children from more affluent areas. But just five minutes’ “green exercise” can produce rapid improvements in mental wellbeing and self-esteem, with the greatest benefits experienced by the young, according to a study at the University of Essex.
In 2017 the Foundation Derbyshire Rolls-Royce Fund selected the theme of Mental Health and Young People. This allowed us to award three superb local charities who went on to offer direct counselling services to over 125 children and young people. The 2018 theme builds on that work by taking a step back and looking at part of the prevention agenda, using some of the simplest, effective ways to build up mental health resilience in children throughout Derby and Derbyshire.
2018 Grant Recipients
QClub at Quad: A new project for the summer holiday period allowing their members to break free of the building and explore and carry out artworks in parks and nature reserves around the City. To find out more about the amazing work of the QClub and the young people they support click here
Derbyshire Young Carers via Derbyshire Carers Association: Awarded funds to support their young carer’s programme, allowing young carer’s to experience social outings immersed in nature and the great outdoors.. This work with young people who care for family members is so crucial, allowing them to develop friendships with others in a similar situation and offering a chance to connect and unwind
Home-Start Derby: A grant awarded by Rolls-Royce will fund additional hours, so Home-Start Volunteers can support struggling families with accessing outdoor spaces. Home-Start does a phenomenal job helping any family with at least one child under 5 years of age, who are facing crisis. They offer practical and emotional support to turn families around when they most need a hand