£822,000 cash boost from Resonance provides lifeline for The Wilderness Centre

An £822,000 boost from social impact investor Resonance has helped secure the future of an outdoor learning centre in Gloucestershire.

The Wilderness Centre, located near Mitcheldean, has been taken back into community ownership following a £1m fundraising effort to buy the facility from a private owner.

It has long offered school residential visits, but exciting plans are now in place to open the facility up for wider community use, providing opportunities for young people to learn about and connect with nature while taking part in activities, such as bushcraft, orienteering, canoeing and high ropes.

Tom Crook, investment manager at Resonance, said: “We’re delighted to invest in the Wilderness Centre, initially protecting its future and then becoming part of its journey towards creating a first class outdoor location for the whole community to enjoy.”

The Wilderness Centre and its grounds have been purchased by community-owned business Wylderne, with an £822,000 investment by Resonance Community Developers.

Wylderne is also offering local people and nature lovers an opportunity to invest in shares to raise a further £50,000. An additional grant takes the combined total investment from all sources to more than £1million.

Simon Dawson, a director of Wylderne, said: “The significant Resonance investment will help the Wilderness Centre to evolve into a place where people can enjoy contact with nature and learn how they might help the unique biodiversity of the Forest to thrive.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming back not only our local schools but, for the first time ever, everyone from our community.”

The Wilderness Centre was previously a community asset in council ownership, and from 1969 operated as an outdoor education centre until 2014, when financial constraints led the council to close the centre and put it up for sale.

Tom concluded: “Resonance Community Developers was designed to support communities to create and own assets that meet local needs and help to build community cohesion – protecting and helping The Wilderness Centre to grow is a perfect example of this in action.

“To date, the fund has invested over £32m and that has been spent on affordable homes, sports and leisure facilities, low-carbon and renewable energy generation and vital community assets.”