Funding helps charity to branch out

LEARNING disability charity Enable Scotland is to receive a grant for £35,050 from the Forestry Commission.

The group will use the money for a scheme to plant trees at Craigmillar Castle Park and provide volunteering opportunities for 16-26-year-olds with learning difficulties.

It is one of 14 projects across Scotland to receive funding from the commission's Woods In and Around Towns initiative and Forests for People fund, which aim to improve outdoor learning for people near urban woodlands.

Environmental organisation the Green Team won 14,636 towards forest school-based projects aimed at women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust also received 4,496 for projects in Hailes Quarry Park to encourage youngsters to join in summer cycling events.

Environment minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "The development of woodlands in towns and cities is making a real difference to the quality of life of many people.

"Funding to help revitalise or support woodland-based projects can open up many more opportunities, not only for access and recreation but importantly for outdoor learning.

"If we can engage children with the natural environment at a very early age, the evidence is that they are more likely to re-engage in later life."