Defra Access for All funding

Chiltern Rangers CIC bought a seven-seat electric car and tools with their grant, with flexible seat configuration options. This will help them get 200-300 more volunteers each year into caring for nature reserves and habitats in the Chilterns, including young people with special needs, people with dementia, and those without their own transport.

“We can pick people up from central High Wycombe locations like the Rye Lido or the train station for Green Thursday volunteer group. Dozens of groups and schools will benefit.”

John Shaw, Managing Director

Home to around 1000 wildlife species, College Lake is a wonderful place to spot water birds, butterflies and orchids. BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) will purchase two new tramper mobility vehicles which can be borrowed by anyone visiting the reserve. The Trust also resurfaced 200m² of path and installed several new mobility scooter and buggy-friendly gates. The changes are improving the experience for visitors with limited mobility and likely to attract more people.

“We are so pleased to be making these upgrades which mean that more people than ever will be able to come and see what an extraordinary place College Lake is. At BBOWT, we believe that people need to see nature to be inspired by it and take action to help it – but spending time in nature is also good for our physical and mental health, so this project really is a win for everyone in our community.”

Mark Vallance, Buckinghamshire Land Manager

This fantastic rural museum has 37 historical buildings set in 45 acres of gardens. The museum already has all-terrain wheelchairs to borrow, sensory backpacks for autistic visitors, hearing loops and a popular programme of accompanied walks combatting social isolation. Their grant funded a much needed upgrade to their existing accessible toilet provision.

“We are very grateful for our Chilterns Access Grant.  The new accessible toilet facility will improve the visitor experience for our guests with impaired mobility and encourage others to come in the first place.” 

Gill Whitehead, Fundraising Officer

The Centre for Outdoor Accessibility Training at Aston Rowant Nature Reserve is England’s first national centre for specialised countryside access. They received a grant to buy state-of-the-art off-road mobility vehicles for rough terrain: a terrain hopper, a mountain trike, an e-trike and a Trekinetic wheelchair. They will provide training promoting the British Standard for Gates, Gaps and Stiles to parish councillors, rights of way volunteers, local highway staff, countryside managers and landowners. They will demonstrate the best standards of countryside access for people of all abilities, and how to use the many designs of gates on their “obstacle course” for off-road mobility vehicles.

“We are really excited to be able to use this fantastic new equipment to promote countryside access so everyone can enjoy nature.” 

Val Woods, National Land Access Centre Lead.

BUDS, Buckinghamshire Disability Service, carried out access surveys at four popular countryside sites — Whiteleaf Hill, Brush Hill, Aston Rowant Nature Reserve and Captain’s Wood — with a view to improving online access information about these sites and advising the site managers on future accessibility improvements.

The grant contributed to resurfacing a stretch of the Wendover Canal towpath, providing greatly improved accessibility for local communities, especially those with limited mobility.