E.ON and Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust help more than 1,700 local children connect with nature
E.ON is helping to foster a deeper connection to nature for children in Sheffield and Rotherham through an impactful collaboration with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust
As part of E.ON’s ongoing commitment to the communities around its Blackburn Meadows biomass plant in Sheffield, it is working with the Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust to enable local children to connect with nature.
Since April 2024, the partnership has benefited 1,721 children from the region. E.ON’s support has helped children participate in a range of outdoor learning experiences, igniting their curiosity about nature and encouraging a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.
Thanks to E.ON’s support and funding, outdoor school trips, afterschool clubs, and holiday programmes have been subsidised, offering children access to nature that many would not otherwise have had. Whether it's through engaging curriculum-linked sessions, ‘wild play’ activities, or even afterschool nature clubs, E.ON's partnership has played a vital role in opening doors to new experiences for children, many of whom are enjoying nature for the first time.
Jess Dhariwal, Plant Manager at E.ON’s Blackburn Meadows biomass energy plant, said: “We’re so proud to have helped support these educational and fun trips for local schoolchildren, ensuring children from across Sheffield and Rotherham can access these nature-based learning opportunities. We believe every child deserves to experience the outdoors, and we’re committed to helping make that happen as part of our wider commitment to the local community.”
Corrie Porter-Young, Education Officer (Young People) at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, added: “We are seeing first-hand how important it is for children to connect with nature. The feedback from teachers, children, and families has been overwhelmingly positive. These experiences are not only enriching children’s knowledge but also fostering a sense of responsibility toward the natural world.”
So far, the partnership has delivered outstanding benefits for local schools and children, with:
- 100% of schools saying the children learned something new about nature.
- 100% of teachers reporting the sessions met their learning objectives and saying they would recommend the experience to others.
- 100% of children saying they felt inspired to take positive action for nature following their outdoor learning experience.
One teacher, who organised a trip as part of the programme, shared: “Our children do not get many life experiences, and it was so lovely to take them somewhere close to school. It gave them confidence and motivation to go back and share their experiences with their families.”
Another primary school teacher added: “It’s amazing to see children so engaged in learning about the world around them. For some of these children, this is their first experience with nature. We hope it instils in them a love for their local area and a desire to protect these beautiful spaces for generations to come.”
Nurturing children through nature
The experiences have gone beyond just learning about nature; children have been able to build dens, develop teamwork skills, and create lasting memories in local green spaces, making connections to their school curriculums, especially science topics like plants and ecosystems. These sessions are proving to be not just educational, but also beneficial to the mental health and wellbeing of the children involved.
In addition to the outdoor sessions, E.ON’s support has allowed for the creation of nature-friendly school grounds and the training of educators to integrate outdoor learning into everyday practice, extending the reach and impact of these programmes. E.ON hopes to continue expanding its efforts to connect even more children with the environment.
About Blackburn Meadows
E.ON’s Sheffield-based biomass-fuelled combined heat and power plant, Blackburn Meadows, powers up to 69,000 homes and businesses in the South Yorkshire region, and its support for the Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust is part of its dedication to supporting the communities around this site.
E.ON’s partnership is making a profound difference to the lives of children and families in Sheffield and Rotherham, helping foster not only environmental awareness but also a sense of community and wellbeing. E.ON remains committed to supporting initiatives that give children the chance to connect with nature and grow into environmentally conscious individuals.
Notes to editors
Headline image courtesy of Helena Dolby, Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust.
For further information please contact Fury Mets-Mallin, Marketing and Communications Officer at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, on f.mets-mallin@wildsheffield.com or 0114 263 4335.
You are welcome to use the image provided. Please note that this is for one-off use only in connection with this story and must be credited to Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust.
Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust is a registered charity and works with the local community to protect and enhance the environment in Sheffield and Rotherham, working towards a better future for wildlife, people and the green spaces we all rely on.
Supported by a fantastic community of members, volunteers and donors, the Trust are part of a national network of 46 Wildlife Trusts, working together to make the UK a better place for wildlife and people.
The Trust manages 15 nature reserves including Blacka Moor, Wyming Brook, Greno Woods, Centenary Riverside and Kilnhurst Ings. Recent conservation projects include the delivery of natural flood risk management schemes on the Rother and recording the return of the Otter along the River Don.
Additionally, the Trust delivers a programme of activities throughout the year to inspire people of all ages to learn about nature and enjoy being outdoors. We also take action for wildlife and green spaces, including standing up for spaces under threat and helping others to take action for nature.
For more information about our work please visit wildsheffield.com or contact us at mail@wildsheffield.com or 0114 263 4335.
E.ON's goal is to ensure the energy transition works for everyone. Through E.ON Next, E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions and npower Business Solutions, our mission is to help make energy more affordable and sustainable across homes, businesses, cities and communities.
Globally, E.ON is a major provider of energy solutions and clean energy networks with around 47 million customers across 17 countries. In the UK, we serve nearly one in seven households and businesses, and we are the UK's largest supplier of electricity to industrial clients. eonenergy.com
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