Final Straw Foundation Celebrates Record-Breaking Year in Education Outreach
Posted: 28th August 2024
The Final Straw Foundation (FSF) is thrilled to announce a highly successful year of educational outreach, marked by significant achievements in promoting ocean health and reducing single-use plastics. Our programs have reached thousands of students, underscoring our unwavering commitment to environmental education and action.
A Wild Beach School session is an outdoor education experience where we take children to beaches to learn about marine conservation threats and challenges in the Solent. We aim to inspire all with a love for the sea, whilst encouraging appreciation and the importance of caring for our shores by ending plastic pollution. Beach schools aim to achieve this by enabling children to spend time on our beautiful beaches, connecting with nature, creating future ‘ocean guardians’, and spreading our passion for ocean health, through storytelling, collaboration and practical activities.
Wild Beach School Success
This academic year has been a milestone for our Wild Beach School, where we engaged 1,148 children from 22 schools through 42 interactive sessions at Hill Head or Hayling Island Sailing Club. Notably, 25% of these participants came from disadvantaged backgrounds, and 46% required transport assistance, highlighting our dedication to inclusivity and accessibility in environmental education.
Comprehensive Inland Initiatives
In addition to our beach programs, FSF provided 49 schools with 19 assemblies, 46 workshops, and 13 beach cleans or litter picks. Through these initiatives, we successfully engaged 3,260 pupils, educating them on the critical issues of plastic pollution and the importance of making sustainable choices.
“I think Beach school is really important as the children love being outside. It’s a great opportunity for them to engage with nature and learn all about their local environment.”
Headteacher, Westover Primary School
Celebrating Plastic-Free Day
On May 8th, we celebrated our annual Plastic-Free Day, coinciding with Sir David Attenborough’s birthday. This year, we were delighted to have over 8,000 pupils participate in this initiative. We were further honoured to receive a handwritten note from Sir David himself, expressing gratitude for our dedication to reducing plastic reliance and fostering environmental stewardship.
Breaking Down Barriers with Transport Support
Many schools face logistical challenges, so FSF successfully raised and funded £6,000 in transportation, enabling 623 pupils to access our sessions. We firmly believe that access to education should never be hindered by transportation barriers, and this initiative reflects our commitment to providing opportunities for all students.
Our Mission and Community Focus
At FSF, we are dedicated to connecting children with nature, reducing anxiety and stress through outdoor learning, raising awareness of marine conservation threats, and encouraging sustainable choices that positively impact the environment. We work with schools in Hampshire and West Sussex, prioritising those in more disadvantaged areas, thus ensuring that every child has the chance to engage with vital environmental issues.
“Wow, what a year for beach schools. It’s such a privilege to be able to take children out of their normal learning environment, to experience something new and inspire them to learn about our shores and the importance of caring for it and our wildlife. Double the number of children spent the day with us on the beach this year and we aim to do exactly that again next year, if not more. We love the impact these special days have on the children and how it encourages them to learn in a totally new environment.”
Bianca Carr, CEO Final Straw Foundation
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate these remarkable achievements, the Final Straw Foundation remains committed to expanding our impact in the coming year. We invite schools, businesses, and community groups to join us in our mission to protect our oceans and promote sustainable living.
It is the generous support of our donors that has made the Wild Beach School possible, and continued funding is vital to the success of our educational outreach programs. This support will enable us to enhance our initiatives, reach more children, and foster a deeper understanding of ocean conservation within our communities.
For more information about our programs and how to get involved, please visit our website or contact us directly.
www.finalstrawfoundation.org