Wildlife Trusts celebrate 20yrs of Postcode Lottery-funded nature projects
Hundreds of species, thousands of hectares and millions of people have benefitted nationally from the Postcode Lottery.
Today (Saturday 4th April 2026), The Wildlife Trusts across Great Britain celebrate two decades of innovative nature recovery efforts, all achieved thanks to £31million raised by players of the Postcode Lottery.
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust, along with partners the Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Eden Project, has managed The Bay project helping lonely and isolated people to find a purpose in life using the nature and spectacular wild landscapes of Morecambe Bay. The Bay has made a huge difference to communities in Morecambe, Wyre and Barrow-in-Furness, supported by funding from players of the Postcode Lottery.
The project offers wellbeing sessions to those experiencing problems with their mental health as well as experiencing isolation and loneliness, striving to connect people with each other as well as the beautiful wild world just outside their front door. To date 23,471 people have been involved with the project. This includes successfully engaging with people in the lowest 15 per cent of the population regarding mental wellbeing.
Elsewhere across the nation, support from players of the Postcode Lottery has enabled:
- Millions to take part in the nation’s annual nature challenge, 30 Days Wild
- Bison to roam a Kent forest – the first in this country for thousands of years
- Scottish beaver trials to bring beavers back to the UK after a 400-year absence
- A Sussex seabed decimated by bottom trawling to be brought back to life
- Over 1,000 people in Lancashire to cope with isolation and anxiety, post-COVID
Rhoda Wilkinson – Head of Community Engagement at The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside said:
“Support from PPL enabled us to kick start a significant programme of work bringing together opportunities for people and nature across Morecambe Bay. From children and families surveying our spectacular coastline, to the NHS referring people with poor mental health to volunteer for nature. Five years later not only have we supported thousands of people in our local communities to feel healthier and happier, but we are growing a movement of people with the skills and passion to champion the important biodiversity across Morecambe Bay.”
Mike McDonnell – Senior Engagement and Wellbeing Officer for The Bay said:
“The Bay was originally set up in 2021 to combat the feelings of mental anguish, isolation and loneliness felt by coastal communities around Morecambe Bay following the global pandemic.
Connection with nature through such activities as beach cleans and nature walks empowers people to have a sense of belonging and pride, whilst also helping natures recovery.
As we enter our fifth year, the project continues to become embedded and grow from strength to strength. This success and establishment would not have been possible without initial investment of £880,000 from People’s Postcode Lottery, so many thanks from us and all the people it has helped.”
Rachel Glascott – Community Engagement Officer for The Bay said:
“Having meaningful activities for people to move on to following their engagement with our nature and wellbeing service is vital to supporting people’s ongoing health and wellbeing. These sessions allow the development of interest that is introduced on the sessions which then helps people continue to take small local actions for nature which in turn benefits the environment.
Being able to offer one-off-events to engage the local community with the nature on their doorstep, enables them to see what they have access to every time they need a nature hit to boost their wellbeing.”
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at the Postcode Lottery, said:
“Our players recognise that environmental charities like The Wildlife Trusts are a force for good, with the power to deliver climate change programmes and influence how we all adapt our lifestyles going forward. This work is necessary, it’s crucial for all our futures. It’s also heartwarming and inspirational.
“To know that Postcode Lottery players have helped inner city children learn about the creatures living in their own backyards, to watch ospreys take flight, to hear that farmers are now trialling innovative crops on peatland: all this, plus so much more, is absolutely amazing – it’s a thrilling movement to be a part of”
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The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery:
The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery was supported by players of the Postcode Lottery from 2021 to 2023, as part of the ‘Postcode Recovery Fund’, in partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, The Eden Project and Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. The project was designed to help communities recover from problems exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bay nature and wellbeing programme continues to offer people around Morecambe Bay the opportunity to get outdoors and connect with nature.