Clare Martin: New Year's Message

Our New Year Message meeting on 15 January was held at the Essex Barn, Channels Estate. It proved to be a wonderful setting for the occasion with all the atmosphere of a barn and twinkling lights on the beams. It was great to welcome back Philip and Janice Goodman and to see Honorary Member Brian Collings with his wife June. Mike Littlewood from Phoenix also attended. Our guest speaker was Clare Martin on behalf of The Wilderness Foundation UK (WF). Being a corporate member of our club it was fitting that Clare should have the opportunity to update us on the charity and tell us about what was in store for 2026. Using education, therapy and environmental programmes the WF help children, teenagers and adults reconnect with society and themselves. They are committed to preserving wild places and the power of nature is fundamental to the delivery of their programmes.

They have a staff of 13, have 53 volunteers and 51 therapists. In 2025 they delivered 39,705 hours of support for education therapy groups, 9,525 hours of group therapy and 3,822 hours of one to one therapy. Impressive statistics and it’s no wonder that in 2025 they were awarded the Essex High Sheriff’s Shield Award in recognition of their work. 2026 is their fiftieth anniversary and their ambitious plan is to undertake 50 events across the year from wild walks and talks to quizzes and golf and football tournaments. Our Club are already positioned to run another quiz. During 2026 WF aim to provide more trauma focussed one to one nature therapy programmes for children, young people and adults. You can find more information about WF on their website, which also gives details of their events. Congratulations to WF on their 50th anniversary and winning such a prestigious award last year.