Medway Foodbank gains a commendation at 2024 Wilder Kent Awards

We are proud to announce that Medway Foodbank has won a commendation at this year’s Wilder Kent Awards for starting work to help create a Wilder Kent. As an organisation we have started to work on eco targets, aiming to make our work as a charity have less impact on the natural environment, and helping to support the natural world. We are using the award scheme to help us work on appropriate targets.

Here is some more information about the award scheme:

The awards, which were supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust, saw 87 organisations shortlisted and their efforts resulted in a staggering 120,000 people in the county receiving the nature benefits from the actions taken by the entrants.

The finalists covered four categories, businesses, community groups, schools and villages, towns and cities. 18 received the highest accolade of gold, 23 silver, 27 bronze and 19 awarded commendations. They received their awards at a special ceremony at Canterbury University on Saturday, 20^th July, hosted by TV presenter and producer of Talk on the Wild Side podcast, Rob Smith.

The Wilder Kent Awards were set up by Kent Wildlife Trust in 2020 as a way of recognising and rewarding the positive actions that groups across Kent are taking in order to protect wildlife and safeguard nature for future generations.

Kent Wildlife Trust’s Tom White, said: “We were absolutely bowled away by both the quantity and quality of this year’s entries. The work that is going on in the county to create a wilder Kent is outstanding.

“When we are constantly faced with negativity about the nature and climate emergencies, it can be overwhelming, but here are 87 projects that are making a significant difference to the people living in Kent from which around 120,000 would have benefitted. From community gardens to schemes to tackle food waste and other harnessing renewable energy, these awards empower people, and demonstrate that we all have it in us to do something special that makes a difference.”

About the Wilder Kent Awards

The natural world isn’t just something for us to enjoy; it sustains us. The decline of nature puts our very survival and prosperity under threat. But it doesn’t have to be like this; together we can create a Wilder Kent.

The Wilder Kent Awards is a scheme set up to recognise and reward the work schools and community groups are doing in helping us create a #WilderKent. By taking positive actions to restore nature, they are helping to create a more climate-resilient county and provide a home for wildlife. Their action benefits us locally and helps tackle the global environmental threats we all face.

These awards are open to businesses, schools, colleges, universities, community groups and villages, towns and cities across the county. They acknowledge the hard work and action taken to create a Wilder Kent whilst ensuring that people and wildlife co-exist for future generations.

The awards are free to enter, with the actions split into four categories, businesses, schools and nurseries, community groups and towns and villages.

Benefits to entering the Wilder Kent Awards

• Help tackle ‘Nature deficit disorder’.
• Improve health and well-being, physically and mentally.
• Personal satisfaction that you have made a real difference.
• Safeguard nature and wildlife for future generations.
• Enjoy new experiences and learn new life and craft skills.
• Spend time in the fresh air and appreciate nature.

About Kent Wildlife Trust

Kent Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity with more than 31,000 members and over 1000 registered volunteers. We manage and protect over 9000 acres of land across more than 80 different sites and nature reserves, alongside 3 visitor centres.

We work closely with local communities, landowners and partners to protect and improve habitats in the countryside, coast and town for the benefit of the wildlife and people of Kent.

The charity also campaigns against inappropriate and damaging development; and educates and inspires young people to help secure a more sustainable future and create a Wilder Kent.

Want to know more?

For further information on the Wilder Kent Awards, please contact Kent Wildlife Trust on [email protected]

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