Clan Trust helps empower Norfolk students through school allotments
Over the past three years, the Clan Trust has donated £15,000 in funding to the Papillion Project, supporting secondary school and sixth-form colleges across Norfolk with opportunities for hands-on learning through school allotments.
The Papillon Project offers young people the chance to grow food, learn where it comes from, and understand the importance of sustainability – aligning with one of the Clan Trust’s three key pillars of support, young people in agriculture.
The Papillon Project is there for all students, including those who may struggle in a traditional classroom setting or are neurodiverse. This experience provides them with the opportunity to create something tangible, see the fruits of their labour, build confidence and take pride in their achievements.
Through The Clan Trust’s funding, the Papillon Project has been able to purchase essential tools like lawnmowers and polytunnels, as well as cover administrative costs, which allows them to run intensive, year-long programmes.
These programmes offer young people the chance to work alongside volunteers, who play an important role in guiding the students, maintaining the allotments, and teaching them about horticulture and agriculture.
As well as the allotments themselves, the initiative hosts workshops on environmental awareness and sustainability, as well as impact days. These give students a deeper understanding of the world around them, including farming - an industry that many of them might not have considered as a career route.
One of their recent projects in Great Yarmouth saw the transformation of a disused corner of a school, which is now being turned into a thriving school allotment. This project not only improves the environment but also empowers students to take ownership of the space and learn practical skills.
“We are extremely grateful to the Clan Trust for their continued support with funding our core administrative costs. This support helps The Papillon Project work with many more young people across Norfolk, giving them the confidence to, ‘give it a grow!’” Matt Willer, Founder of the Papillon Project.
To learn more about the Papillon Project and how they’re making a difference in young people’s lives, visit: https://www.thepapillonproject.com/
Allotment before the project
Allotment after the project