With the support of partner Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, a Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools (PODS) appeal for additional funds has resulted in contributions from a variety of sources, including £15,000 in grant aid from the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund.

PODS is co-ordinated by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, supporting a network of specialist organisations, teachers and local authority advisors with the aim of enabling learners to benefit from high quality outdoor learning experiences, encouraging children to become fully engaged with and confident in their local environment.

Trust Director Katie Macro said: “We are thrilled to support the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools project, a vital initiative that helps pupils across Pembrokeshire understand the importance of our natural habitat. This work would not be possible without the generous support of many wonderful funders, whose input has made a real difference to this cause.”

Several community councils also showed their support for the work of the PODS partnership with donations, including Haverfordwest Town Council, Scleddau Community Council, and Newport Town Council. Support was also received from Llywyndu Solar Farm via the NextEnergy Solar Fund.

Bryony Rees, Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools Co-ordinator said “There’s an increasing recognition of the value of outdoor learning for our children, both in terms of specific topics and themes, and also the benefits to overall health and wellbeing.”

Across Pembrokeshire, schools and teaching staff have been able to provide valuable learning experiences for pupils, often supported by the outdoor learning specialists that make-up the Outdoor Schools partnership, or by making use of the resources and training provided.

Earlier in the year, a donation from Blue Gem Wind enabled the PODS Co-ordinator to offer targeted support to secondary schools in the area. This included a coastal challenge day at Newgale with Year 8 pupils from Henry Tudor School, supported by the National Park Authority’s education team and Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum.  

For more information on Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools, contact Bryony at [email protected], call 07870 488014, or visit the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools website: pembrokeshireoutdoorschools.co.uk.

If you would like to donate to the PODS project, email [email protected].