Charities The Junction Foundation and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust have been awarded almost £470,000 to help people tackle climate change and connect with nature.

The project will run in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Council’s climate change and streetscene teams.

The charities will use the National Lottery funding to empower children, young people and communities to deliver projects to protect and restore natural environments. They also aim to educate children, young people and families about climate change and encourage them to take part in social action to be part of the solution.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Chris Moon, assistant director, climate change at Redcar and Cleveland Council, Beth Major, CEO at The Junction Foundation, Jeremy Garside, of Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and Lisa Haetzman, climate change and sustainability officer at Redcar and Cleveland

Schemes will include helping children and young people to contribute to the preservation of nature through eco holidays, and school and family activities, and engagement with Redcar and Cleveland Council to reclaim community spaces and promote biodiversity.

Beth Major, CEO of The Junction, said: “All children and young people involved will also have access to opportunities to take action, learn and access natural environments that they wouldn’t have without this funding. We are also very keen for young people to have a real voice in activities for them and the projects direction – if you know any young people that would like to take part in this please do get in touch through our website”

Jeremy Garside, CEO of Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, added: “Climate change is so big and overwhelming that people might not think they can do anything to make a difference, but this new project will empower young people from Redcar and Cleveland to deliver real benefits for biodiversity and the climate. By combining the skills of our organisations we can support young people to face up to this global challenge."