Woodlands.co.uk, the UK’s leading provider of woodlands for sale, is proud to announce its support for The Young Lives Foundation (YLF) as its Charity of the Year for 2026.
YLF is an award-winning, independent children’s charity based in Kent that has spent the last 18 years supporting vulnerable young people aged 7–25 who face serious challenges, including those in care, leaving care, and those affected by trauma, abuse, and mental health difficulties. In 2024, YLF was named Kent’s Mental Health Charity of the Year, a recognition of its dedication to supporting young people’s well-being across the county.
Woodlands.co.uk’s partnership with YLF reflects a shared belief in the importance of connecting young people with nature. Many of YLF’s programmes are now nature-themed, giving young people opportunities to explore the outdoors through activities such as camping, fishing, outdoor cooking, and woodland crafts. These initiatives help participants engage with the natural world, boost confidence, and support mental health, an area increasingly recognised as crucial for children and young people.
Woodlands.co.uk’s support will provide funding and resources to expand YLF’s nature-focused activities, ensuring that more young people can access safe, enriching outdoor experiences.
Anton Baskerville from Woodlands.co.uk, said: "We are incredibly proud to support The Young Lives Foundation as our Charity of the Year. Their commitment to helping young people thrive, particularly through outdoor and nature-based activities, aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire people to enjoy and care for woodlands across the UK. By supporting YLF, we are helping to give young people experiences in nature that can positively impact their health, confidence, and future opportunities."
YLF delivers the majority of its work through dedicated local volunteers, who are central to the charity’s award-winning programmes. The charity is actively recruiting volunteers across Kent for roles including youth workers, wellbeing mentors, outdoor practitioners and woodland caretakers.
Kristy, Director of Youth Programmes at YLF, added: "Having Woodlands.co.uk as our Charity of the Year will allow us to create exciting outdoor sessions for young people, including woodland management, nature-based crafts, and mindfulness activities. Access to these green spaces gives young people the chance to engage with nature in meaningful ways, which is so important for their mental well-being."
For more information about The Young Lives Foundation or to get involved as a volunteer, visit: www.ylf.org.uk
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