‘Nature Corridors for All’, has given people with learning disabilities from East Sussex and Normandie the opportunity to take part in parallel conservation initiatives.
The project, part of a wider drive to help enable people with learning disabilities build links with local communities, is organised through a partnership between East Sussex County Council Social Services Department, Lewes District Council Sustainability Team, The Railway Land Wildlife Trust and the , River Ocean Foundation.
In Sussex , people who use the St. Nicholas Centre in Lewes and Avis Way Centre in Newhaven have taken part in the conservation programme at the Railway Land Local Nature Reserve, Lewes while in Normandie, similar activities have been underway at the Parc Guy Weber, a local wildlife park 6 miles outside Dieppe.
While learning about environmental issues through special activity days, poetry and photography, both groups have been developing new communication skills ranging from giving presentations to writing for leaflets and the web.
As well as communicating electronically with their French counterparts, English participants have visited Dieppe to look at the conservation work there and share their experiences.
Commenting, Councillor Joy Waite, East Sussex County Council’s Lead Member for Social Services, said: "The project has been a huge success. It is creative and innovative and is to be applauded. It is a wonderful way forward and a fine example of the way we are modernising our services for people with learning disabilities.”
Clive Pepe from the River Ocean Foundation said: "Working with the participants has been a fantastic experience which has benefited everyone involved. Through working with Lewes District Council and the Railway Land Wildlife Trust we have not only made a real contribution to the conservation work but have also involved a wide variety of people.”
During the event on Friday 2 July at the Railway Land site, to be opened by BBC Southern Counties Radio broadcaster John Radford, participants will show guests around the site after officially launching a new, bi-lingual website (www. Riverocean.org.uk ) and leaflet about the project.
Due to the project’s success, project organisers have applied to the EU for further funding which would see Nature Corridors for All build on its achievements over the next four years.
Notes to editors
Nature Corridors for All is funded through a partnership between East Sussex County Council, Lewes District Council, The Railway Land Wildlife Trust and River Ocean Foundation, a water charity.
The French based project is also supported by a range of partners including the Conseil General.
Financial support for both countries has come from the European Union via the INTERREG 111 programme.
For further information call John Parry on 01273 471332 or mobile 077 1929 9449; Clive Pepe on 077 210 46213, or Jan Wright, East Sussex County Council Press Officer on 01273 481570
You are welcome to send a reporter/photographer to the event which runs from 3pm until 7pm.
Reference:
04/209/HP
Contact the press team
