Working with Young People A grant was awarded to the Leatherhead Youth Project who took ten students into the Surrey Hills for two days to undertake Forest School Survival Skills training which involved building shelters, camp fires and learning how to forage for food as well as outdoor team building. The aim of the project was to offer a unique outdoor learning experience to young people who may not always get the opportunity, helping them to engage with the Surrey Hills countryside and to boost confidence and learning. Inspiring Views Viewpoint clearance, access work and a series of 5 artistic benches along the Greensand Way were kindly funded through the Mittal Foundation. The Surrey Hills Trust Fund will maintain these artworks so that they can be enjoyed and experienced into the future. Conservation work at Quarry Hangers This is a Site of Special Scientific interest (SSSI) in the east of the Surrey Hills at Chaldon, near Caterham which benefited from a grant so that extensive targeted scrub clearance could be carried out to improve the landscape and restore the rare and precious chalk grassland, typical of the North Downs. Creative Landscapes in Health Project This recently awarded project will commission a writer, musician and artist to research and respond to areas of the Surrey Hills including Farnham Heath, Thursley, Moor Park, Leith Hill and Gatton Park. Each artist will create new work to share with the local community through a programme of creative health walks and workshops. Contact with green spaces and natural environments is proven to reduce symptoms of mental health problems and stress, and can improve mental wellbeing across all age groups. The walks and workshops also have social benefits and increase residents’ knowledge, connection and satisfaction with their local area. Small Blue Butterfly Project A grant has been awarded to Butterfly Conservation to help conserve the Small Blue Butterfly in Surrey. A ‘habitat 10
stepping-stones’ project will permanently link the Small Blue colonies on the North Downs between Guildford and Box Hill. This important work also involves partnership working with Surrey Wildlife Trust, Lower Mole Partnership, National Trust and Natural England. Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Surrey comments; “Through generous giving by local people, we are able to support wonderful projects that help preserve and enhance the stunning landscape. We are delighted to continue our work in partnership with the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to encourage local philanthropic giving and help communities from across the county to access and enjoy the Surrey Hills for generations to come.” Donations small or large make a huge difference to the fund and will enable it to support local projects, like those mentioned into the future. If you would like to find out more or make a donation please visit www. surreyhills.org/trust-fund or visit http:// cfsurrey.org.uk/fund/surrey-hills-trust-fund.
Images from top left: work undertaken at Farnham Heath to protect from future fire damage; children from Therfield School being taken into the Surrey Hills for survival skills training; artist Susan Ryland taking a reading of the breeze at Gatton Park lake as part of her 4 month residency inspired by the notion of 'taking the air'; and the small blue butterfly which the Trust Fund is helping with conservation work to help link colonies of the species.
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