Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, is delighted that as part of the Government’s £750 million support package, a grant has been awarded to Bowles Rocks outdoor education centre.
The funding is aimed at supporting those who need to continue providing their services as part of the national coronavirus response. Sixteen charities in Wealden have received funding from the £200m Coronavirus Community Support Fund, totalling £237,956. Bowles Rocks Trust is one of the recipients.
Nus has visited Bowles centre earlier this year to speak to its managing director about the hardships faced by the sector. Despite being Covid-safe, the Government guidance advises against residential education visits for children. This not only removes a vitally important element of children’s education, but also puts hundreds of local jobs at risk.
Following the visit and conversations with other outdoor education centres in Wealden, Nus has raised the issue in Parliament during Covid debate and written to Ministers urging them to reopen the sector and provide more support.
Nus Ghani said: “Outdoor educational visits are vital in delivering rounded learning experiences that our children have been missing this year. We are extremely lucky to have fantastic outdoor activity centres in Wealden and I have previously urged the Government to open up outdoor education experiences and prevent lasting damage to the sector that may deny these valuable experiences to our children in the future. I am pleased that Bowles has received this valuable funding and I will continue campaigning for other Wealden outdoor education centres to receive support.”
Media coverage:
- In Your Area, 21 November 2020: "Crowborough outdoor education centre secures funding from Wealden MP" - Available here.
