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Notts Forest Fires Up Celebrations After Firm’s Donation


A Nottinghamshire outdoor activity centre that has been enjoyed by thousands of scouts for decades has received a welcome financial boost from a global packaging firm.


Walesby Forest, a not-for-profit organisation established in 1938, is an international outdoor adventure activity centre set in 250 acres of Nottinghamshire forest.


The inclusive site, which works in partnership with the City of Nottingham Scouts, was named as the recipient of April’s charity donation by Colwick-based The Wilkins Group as part of the packaging giant’s ‘year of giving’ campaign.


The family-owned firm's 12-month campaign is championing a different Nottinghamshire charity each month during 2025 and making donations to lessen the impact of the current challenging economic climate.


Having already donated thousands of pounds to good causes across the city and county, including Green’s Windmill Trust in Sneinton, Papplewick Pumping Station in Ravenshead, and Stonebridge City Farm, this week staff at The Wilkins Group chose Walesby Forest to receive a £1,000 cheque having been inspired by the location's facilities, longevity and values.


Justin Wilkins, joint managing director at The Wilkins Group, which makes food packaging for many of the UK's leading brands, said:

“We have been deeply inspired by how this remarkable non-profit organisation embraces and upholds the strong heritage of scouting values, mission, and purpose."

“It is a privilege to support them in such a worthwhile mission to bring outdoor activities and adventures to a multitude of visitor groups.”


Walesby Forest is an internationally renowned outdoor activity centre among Scouts and Guides. It is also open to the public, with its main visitors coming from schools, colleges, and universities.


Guy Laurie, CEO for Walesby Forest, said:

“Huge thanks go to The Wilkins Group for its donation. We are the green lung for many young people in inner-city districts. As a not-for-profit organisation we offer bespoke and inclusive experiences aimed at educating our visitors in a fun and safe environment within the heart of the incredible Sherwood Forest in Robin Hood country.”

“This donation means a lot to us and such an amount goes a long way. It will allow us to offer subsidised places to between 200–300 young people for a weekend.”


The charity has over 30 adventure activities including outdoor climbing, kayaking, archery and air rifles, plus a range of accommodation and camping areas maintained and managed by dedicated staff, instructors and volunteers.


Walesby Forest prides itself of offering equal opportunities regardless of economic background.


Justin said:

“We know times are hard for so many people and organisations across the country at the moment. With our roots in Nottinghamshire, we are taking the spirit of Robin Hood and spreading donations across the county throughout the year to worthy recipients."

“Our donation is helping to promote the development of young people, giving them the opportunity to learn new skills, gain life experiences and grow as individuals.”


The Wilkins Group announced its ‘year of giving' campaign in December. It kick-started the initiative with an innovative calendar and desk tidy that was sent to its customers.


Each month, the calendar highlights a different Nottinghamshire charity, outlining its work and why The Wilkins Group would be donating towards each cause.


The Wilkins Group is dedicated to improving its local community spaces and mitigating the environmental impact of industry. Creating packaging designs and innovations that aim to reduce and ultimately eradicate single-use plastics within the industry, it is already leading the way in alternatives such as board trays for food packaging, including the use of compostable materials, and 100 per cent plastic-free hangers.


The Wilkins Group produces food packaging for the likes of Pukka Pies, Pizza Express, Harrods and Cadbury.


It also is credited with producing bespoke and award-winning items such as eco-friendly coat hangers and the iconic M&S light-up glitter gin bottles.

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The Humber Wellbeing Hub, an emotional wellbeing organisation set up at the Humber Bridge Country Park in response to an increase in tragedies at the Humber Bridge, has received £5,000 of unrestricted funds from John Good Group’s Grants for Good Fund, plus further support with resources from the Matthew Good Foundation. The growing organisation attracted overwhelming support from John Good Group employees, many of whom work at Hesslewood Business Park, right next door to the Country Park.


The Humber Wellbeing Hub works closely with the Humber Bridge Board and local authorities to provide a much-needed community resource; A safe, welcoming environment, staffed with trained volunteers, offering wellbeing information, support and advice. Some who access the facility are referred to specialist support, whilst others just pop in for a cuppa and a chat, or to access the wide range of wellbeing activities on offer in the beautiful surroundings of the Country Park. With some sessions delivered by their own experts and volunteers, and others by external partners, they currently provide activities including menopause support groups, bereavement support groups and host Andy’s Man Club.


Since the hub opened, their dedicated team of volunteers have been saving lives just by being available to talk, but they are not currently able to open every day. As part of their search for the funds, volunteers and partnerships necessary open daily, they applied for Grants for Good.


Grants for Good is a charitable fund from the John Good Group that grants £60,000 annually to small community groups, charities or social enterprises that have a positive impact on people or planet. It is just one of the many CSR initiatives managed for the Group by the Matthew Good Foundation, whose mission is to amplify small charitable causes doing high-impact work that is often unseen and underfunded. Every quarter, the fund receives more than 400 applications to receive a share of £15,000, with just five making the shortlist. John Good Group employees then vote on the final five to decide which organisations get the biggest share, with the winner of the employee’s vote receiving £5,000.


In November 2023, the Humber Wellbeing Hub was announced as the winner of the latest vote, securing the highest possible grant of £5,000, which will go towards the cost of increasing activities at the hub including volunteer expenses, training, DBS checks & communication materials.


Adam Walsh, John Good Group CEO, and Tim Good, John Good Group’s largest shareholder, along with Michelle Taft, Matthew Good Foundation Executive Director, visited the hub to get to know the team better and discover how they could continue to support them. Adam said “During our visit to the Humber Wellbeing Hub, we discovered that not only are they directly saving lives through suicide prevention, but also using their platform to do amazing work helping all kinds of people with their emotional wellbeing."


"Jo and the hub’s volunteers are clearly extremely experienced, and I was impressed by the dedication of their team, who have recognised that emotional wellbeing is something that we all might need support with at some stage in our lives, and have positioned themselves to ensure people in many different situations can get the support they absolutely deserve. We look forward to seeing them grow and be able to help more people. The Country Park is a perfectly situated and beautiful space for the work they do, and with the John Good Group head office based just next door, we look forward to being able to support our neighbors further in their mission.”


Since winning Grants for Good, the Matthew Good Foundation has offered to help the Humber Wellbeing Hub further to gain the exposure it needs, working with them to start production of a promotional film through the Amplify Charity Films programme, and also planning to help them with volunteering support with access to their corporate volunteering network, with many supporters from the John Good Group working just next door to the Hub. In addition, John Good Group employees have offered their support to the charity in the form of grants they can personally apply for through John Good Group’s employee giving programme, meaning they have received an extra £750 of support.


Jo Kent, Director of the Humber Wellbeing Hub said “We are absolutely thrilled to receive support from the John Good Group, their employees, and the Matthew Good Foundation, as it will allow us to be able to offer more services and support to our local community, and improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and their overall quality of life. It will enable us to take a huge step forward, providing a foundation for future growth and the motivation, encouragement, and support to keep going. Ultimately it will help us reach many more individuals.”


Charities and service providers looking for space to host their programmes, volunteers looking for opportunities to make a meaningful contribution, or funders looking to support a high impact organisation with the robust local support it needs to succeed, can contact the hub on info@emotionalwellbeinghub.com.


The hub is also open to the public and welcomes visitors every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for open sessions and refreshments, with free parking available at their site on the Humber Bridge car park, off Ferriby Road.


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