Berkshire education centre secures CLA Charitable Trust funding to help run nature-based activities

A Berkshire educational centre has been awarded £4,000 from the CLA Charitable Trust (CLACT) to help run nature-based activities for children with special needs.

The trust is funded almost entirely by subscriptions and donations from members of the CLA, an organisation which represents thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses.

It provides grants to charities and community organisations who share its vision to help connect young people who are disabled or disadvantaged with the countryside and nature.

Camp Mohawk, based near Wargrave, is among the groups to successfully apply for funding in the most recent round of awards, receiving £4,000. It is a multi-functional day centre for children with special needs and their families, set in five acres of countryside. Throughout the year the centre provides a range of activities, facilities and natural space to encourage children with a variety of needs to play, socialise and learn in a secure and caring environment.

The grant will be used to help run the Short Breaks project for young people aged eight to 18, with autism or Asperger’s syndrome. The programme provides short-term respite services, aiming to improve participants’ self-confidence, social and life skills and independence.

The young people are supported by a team of experienced staff and volunteers during activities both on site at Camp Mohawk and at other facilities. These can include bowling, go-karting, ice skating, trampolining, orienteering, water sports activities, climbing and various seasonal activities.

A spokesman for Camp Mohawk said: “We receive no government funding and we are extremely grateful to the CLA Charitable Trust for supporting our Short Breaks programme in 2022.”

Bridget Biddell, Chairman of CLACT, said: “The trust is grateful for the amazing work that Camp Mohawk does.

“We are pleased to be able to help with the salary costs for the wonderfully caring support staff, who enable children and young people to have the opportunity to be in the woodlands at Camp Mohawk and benefit from the therapeutic healing power of this environment.”