Grant-Maker, Kent Community Foundation has supported a marine conservation educational project for young people in Folkestone.
Big Blue Foundation received £4,449.00 from Kent Community Foundation’s Environmental Fund to deliver a marine conservation educational project to young people in Folkestone and purchase seven kayaks.
The charitable organisation applied for funding for their conservation project, in the hope of engaging more than 1,500 children at The Folkestone Sea Sports Centre with learning around marine environment, recycling and circular economy. The project will enable children to collect, sort and process marine plastics during outdoor activities like kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding.
Howard Foster, CEO, Big Blue Foundation said of the project, “During these enrichment activities the children will learn about different aspects of the local marine ecosystem, how they can make a positive impact on their environment, what the circular economy is and how they can make a positive difference.
“The recycled waste plastic will be shipped to our sustainable manufacturing partners Odyssey Innovation and Circular11 to be incorporated into new products, including kayaks, outdoor furniture and building materials. The sale of some of these products that return to be used in Folkestone will create a sustainable income stream to the charity that will be used to fuel the growth of our activities, thereby ‘closing the loop’ on this Circular Economy project.”
In 2023, Folkestone Sea Sports Centre hosted around 1,550 children and the Big Blue project aims to provide an enrichment experience to local children in 2024. The water and land-based conservation activities are designed to help alleviate eco-anxiety in children by empowering them to take positive action that directly benefits the environment while improving their physical and mental well-being.
To contact Kent Community Foundation about funding for charities and community groups call 01303 814500, email admin@kentcf.org.uk or visit www.kentcf.org.uk/funding
The Big Blue Foundation is collaborating with Odyssey Innovation Ltd who will incorporate some of the fishing gear and other plastics that are collected in their water sports products, including kayaks. Circular11 will take the remaining waste plastics and turn it into outdoor furniture for installing back in Folkestone, making this a credible Circular Economy project. Groups of 20 children will be invited to visit The Oak & Rope Company workshop in Bridge to see sustainable manufacturing in action and learn about collaborative partnerships for conservation.
The organisation is is also being supported by Kent-based sustainable manufacturer, Coral Eyewear, who manufacture 100% recyclable reading glasses and sunglasses from marine plastics.
About National Marine Week
National Marine Week is The Wildlife Trusts’ annual celebration of all things marine! This year’s theme is “Sea the Connection” and they’ll be highlighting how as an island nation we are all closely connected to the sea and why a healthy thriving marine environment matters.
www.wildlifetrusts.org/national-marine-week
About Big Blue Foundation
The Big Blue Foundation believe that the seas and oceans are the vital cornerstone to support the survival and prosperity of all life. Marine ecosystems are under threat and need to be better understood, protected and their role in a healthy planet evaluated.
Big Blue Foundation brings together communities, business and cutting-edge science to work on these issues in highly focused projects with very clear outcomes and measurable objectives. Their work has a positive impact on the local communities that rely on the ocean for their food, leisure and in some cases, their livelihood.
Howard Foster, Big Blue Foundation’s CEO is passionate about community-based conservation and citizen science and has many years of experience managing marine conservation projects all over the world.
About Kent Community Foundation
Experienced grant-maker Kent Community Foundation is the organisation behind the organisations and has been finding, funding, and supporting some of the smallest voluntary groups in the county for over twenty-three years. In this time, it has distributed almost £57 million to support thousands of small charities and deserving causes where a modest sum of money can make a significant impact.
Kent Community Foundation is part of a UK wide accredited network of forty-seven Community Foundations who are committed to improving the lives of local people and communities, particularly the most vulnerable, isolated, and disadvantaged by matching those who want to help, with those who need the help.
Responsible for more than ninety philanthropic funds, Kent Community Foundation is unrivalled in its knowledge of local causes and assists individuals, families, and businesses who want to help, to establish and administer their own charitable funds.
Kent Community Foundation funding priorities –
- Children, Young People & Families
Supporting disadvantaged children and young people’s physical and mental health, encouraging positive choices and staying safe. - Vulnerable Adults
Helping those who may need extra care dealing with challenging issues or those at risk of social exclusion or discrimination.
3. Elderly and Isolated
Enabling elderly adults to stay well, healthy, independent and free from social isolation.
4. Employability, Skills & Enterprise
Creating opportunities to develop skills and confidence and have a positive impact in areas and groups of people with high unemployment.
5. Environment
Encouraging community action to improve and protect local spaces with support sustainable ways of living.
