Accrington Stanley Community Trust is delighted to announce that we have secured £18,000 funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver an exciting new project, Stanley Steps for Nature.

Launching in January 2026, this two-year initiative will bring local people together to get active outdoors while caring for Hyndburn’s green spaces. Weekly community walks and runs will take place in local parks, woodlands, and along canal paths, making it easier and more enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities to connect with nature.

Alongside this, we will deliver monthly Nature and Wellbeing Days featuring community gardening, outdoor activities, and picnics. These events will also include practical action such as litter-picks, tree planting, and wildflower sowing, helping to improve local environments for everyone.

The project will:

  • Support healthier, more active lifestyles
  • Improve mental wellbeing and reduce isolation
  • Strengthen community connections
  • Enhance and protect local natural spaces

The idea for Stanley Steps for Nature was shaped through consultation with local residents, schools, and partner organisations. Feedback showed a strong desire for more opportunities to be active outdoors, safer and more welcoming green spaces, and accessible activities for families and older adults.

By combining physical activity with environmental action, Stanley Steps for Nature will give residents the chance to play a hands-on role in shaping and improving their local area. The project will also build on the Trust’s successful history of delivering health and community programmes, adding a stronger focus on environmental impact.

We are grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and National Lottery players for making this project possible. Their support means we can continue to grow opportunities for local people to feel healthier, happier, and more connected to each other and to the environment around them.

For updates on Stanley Steps for Nature and how you can get involved, follow Accrington Stanley Community Trust on social media or visit our website www.stanleytrust.co.uk