The Lost Gardens of Heligan has been successful in a funding application to create a visionary education centre and programme at the heart of its 200-acre historic estate and gardens.
This project, Heligan Learning Seed Pod, has received £300k from the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is being managed locally by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme.
The funding will enable the organisation to refurbish existing unused buildings and build an education, skills and learning hub known as the ‘Seed Pod’.
The grant will also enable Heligan to recruit four permanent jobs within a Heligan Learning team to set up and run the educational programme.
CEO David Harland said: “Our current work focuses on nature recovery and we are excited to share our best practice and learnings with the visitor and local communities alike.
“Heligan, of course, is an anagram of ‘healing’ and is a natural home for a programme incorporating health and wellbeing in nature, growing and horticulture, and sustainability.”
The total investment from Heligan for the project will be in excess of £1.5 million and will provide a permanent facility to make Heligan and Cornwall an important champion for agriculture, horticulture and systems change. It will also provide practical amenities to local community groups.
