A busy winter for Stroud Valleys Project
SVP CEO Clare Mahdiyone enters the charity's fundraising raffle
Staff and volunteers from Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) are preparing for a busy winter, both before and after the festive break.
The charity, which works across the district to connect people with nature, has events in the diary until March, and it’s also raising money for its work through a Christmas Raffle and via Stroud District Council’s Spacehive crowdfunding platform.
December features two outings with archaeologist Neil Baker to explore the Heavens area of Stroud, which was purchased by the community earlier this year. Neil’s been hosting the popular rambles for 11 years, and funds raised are shared between SVP and the Heavens Valley Community Benefit Society. Walks take place on Saturdays with some already sold out; places are available on 20 December as well as 10 and 24 January, and 14 and 28 February.
Archaeologist Neil Baker leads walks over the Heavens Valley
Making wreaths at Paganhill
Also in January, SVP’s project officers Caroline and Fred are hosting sessions specially designed to support carers to spend time being creative. Two Carers in Nature workshops will take place on Fridays 16 and 30 January at the Octagon in Paganhill, with funding from the NHS via Gloucestershire County Council (GCC).
Making birdfeeders at SVP's Minibeasties group
Erin Baker is running sustainable cooking sessions in partnership with SVP
SVP is hosting a wildlife session for preschool children on Friday 12 December. Minibeasties is for young children, along with a parent or carer, and sessions include crafts, songs and stories based on the natural world; sessions are supported by Museum in the Park and Stroud District Council.
Minibeasties and the charity’s life-changing Creative Shed project are currently part of Stroud District Council’s Spacehive crowdfunding bid under the banner Little Acorns, Mighty Oaks.
Learning how to repair clothing with Clare Sheridan
SVP has also received funding from GCC for its Stitch and Stir Roadshow, which supports people to cook sustainably and to repair clothes; full details and dates are at stroudvalleysproject.org, with more dates to follow. Cooking sessions are delivered by Erin Baker of Nailsworth’s Natural Cookery School, and repair and upcycling sessions by Clare Sheridan of Transition Stroud Textile Group.