A New Community Service

Background:  Purchased by Gloucestershire CC in 1968  Established as an environmental education centre  Enjoyed by thousands of children  Life-changing experiences for many  2011 Gloucestershire CC closes the facility  2012 The Wilderness Project Community Interest Company established

Vision: To establish a viable community service Which isnew in its approach Providingopportunities for all ages

The way forward…  Develop the site to create new provision  New and innovative schemes with local community partners  Use new sustainable technologies  Create new research programmes  Establish new revenue streams “If you always do what you always did you will always get what you always got” …so we will do things differently

Three years from now we will be…  Receiving income from new revenue streams  Using refurbished buildings  Providing a consultancy service to schools and colleges  Providing day and residential courses  Running weekend and vacation youth and community programmes  Offering apprenticeship and intern places to young people  Establishing capital investment through corporate sponsorship  Working with national and international partners And……… creating new business opportunities with local business partners

A journey towards a sustainable future Six years from now we will be…  A recognised centre of excellence in environmental education working with national and international partners  Providing lifelong learning experiences to… 13,000 people each year

The figures

On this journey we will be…  Operating as a Community Benefit Society  An asset rather than a debt burden on the community  A successful local employer  Supporting local tourism  Providing extra income to local businesses  Promoting skills for the green economy  Unrestricted in developing new opportunities

A few of our current companions: Rotary Club of the Royal Forest Of Dean The Baroness Royal TV Personality- Kate Humble (?)

A journey forward… …join us on the journey… Now we must…  Conclude asset transfer from Gloucestershire CC  Work with Gloucestershire CC to benefit the community  Refurbish the Wilderness Centre  Market the service  Start bringing in business