East Suffolk Council
Learning centre funding boost for environmental education charity
A charity dedicated to transforming lives through the power of nature has received a major funding boost from East Suffolk Council towards completion of a unique new learning centre.
East Suffolk Council has committed £110,000 of grant funding towards the Green Light Trust’s vision to provide health and wellbeing programmes from the new building at Castan Wood, in Martlesham, for children, young people and adults with complex needs.
The environmental education charity launched an appeal last November to raise the money needed for completion of the carbon negative, cement-free learning centre – built using a hemp-based modular construction system.
The Green Light Trust already hosts a range of outdoor, woodland activities aimed at providing equitable access to nature at the 26-acre site. East Suffolk Council’s contribution from earmarked reserves will assist completion of the centre, designed and manufactured externally by Suffolk based Natural Building Systems, and which received initial support from Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Growth Investment Fund.
Councillor Rachel Smith-Lyte, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for the Environment, approved the grant in consultation with cabinet member for Resources and Value for Money, Vince Langdon-Morris.
Cllr Smith-Lyte said:
“I’m thrilled that we have been able to support the Green Light Trust’s appeal to raise money for completion of this new purpose-built eco exemplar indoor learning centre.
“This project utterly aligns with our determination to improve the wellbeing of our residents, tackle health inequalities in this case in a nature-based setting.
“This is a unique site and a unique organisation offering essential support in an important mature woodland that also stands to benefit from sensitive use, care and an extended lease.
“The hemp construction aligns with part of our net zero ambitions, while encouraging community wealth building by working with local companies, like Suffolk-based Natural Building Systems in this case.”
Lauren Shand, Green Light Trust CEO, said:
“We are hugely thankful to East Suffolk Council for their support, which puts us in a position to be able to complete the build and start reaching many more people in need of our services.
“This building is being constructed with deep green principles in mind and we are delighted that this has been recognised and supported by the Council. We will be able to showcase through this build, new and sustainable ways of working which have the potential to positively influence the wider construction industry.”