Inspiring children to love nature

We’re supporting 1st Foston Scouts and Conservation Group in Foston as one of our green space Community Champions.

Watering plants might seem like an everyday chore, but for these Beaver Scouts it’s great fun.

They get to see plants grow and blossom in the flowerbed at their scout hut in Foston, between Newark and Grantham.

And recently, they took home freshly-grown lettuces to share with their families.

For some of them it’s the first time they’ve gotten hands on with gardening.

“They’re all very proud of it and you can see that when they run out towards the flower bed,” says Beaver Scouts Leader Jenny Wynn.

Lincolnshire Co-op is supporting more than 20 green spaces as part of its Community Champions scheme.

They bring communities together by providing space to grow crops and flowers or simply to enjoy fresh air.

Some groups have plans to create wildlife and educational spaces, while others are building play parks or wish to pass food-growing skills to the next generation.

Every time a member shops in one of our outlets, we’ll make a donation towards the green space projects and groups we're supporting. The carrier bag levy and fundraising from colleagues will both go into the pot.

The Salvation Army has clothing banks at 38 of our outlets and splits money raised with us. Our share will also go towards the fundraising total.

1st Foston Scouts and Conservation Group want to use the money they receive as Community Champions to install a water butt and new guttering at the scout hut.

It'll support the flower bed while also teaching the children about water as a precious resource.

They’ve already built bug hotels and hope to also create some sturdy hedgehog homes while improving the space for the wider community.

Visit this page to see how another Community Champion this quarter, Healey Road Wildlife and Education Centre, plans to use the money it receives from the scheme.