Our Future

All of our future plans are part of a fund raising project called Leaves for Learning.

​In 2019 we launched with key components of:-

• Transforming a derelict building into the South Downs Eco Lodge

• Creating a New Learning Centre from our Administration Building
• Expanding our services and programmes

Bed & Breakfast

​​In 2020/2021 we succeeded in achieving the first of these steps and are delighted to have our South Downs Eco Lodge Bed and Breakfast up and running. The feedback from guests shows that we are offering something special to walkers/cyclists and people seeking a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday living.

NEW LEARNING CENTRE

​RESPONDING TO CHANGING TIMES

​ A NEW DIRECTION

The next step in our long-term plan was to create
a New Learning Centre. The costs of doing this has spiralled and it looks as if we would need to raise £3.5 million to make it happen. This made us sit and think – “is this really what we should be doing?”
​
The experience of living through and surviving the lockdown associated with the pandemic has had a big impact on all of our lives. Many people, organisations and communities have re-examined how we live and work as well as the importance of nature and wild spaces.

​There is also a growing awareness of the challenges of a rapidly changing climate and resource tipping points that are being breached. It is obvious that we need to find a better balance in harmony with nature.

​With this broader context in mind we have re-examined ourselves and what we can offer to support this wider need for change. We recognise that being a "dynamic force for change and a beacon for sustainability in the south-east of England" does not necessarily entail a physical landmark of an exemplar natural building that our New Learning Centre aspired to deliver.

​What we do know is that it is the work that we do and the services that we offer that have the greatest potential to affect real change in people's lives.
​
The special qualities of our 55 acre site supports the experience of all that we do here, so finding a balance between numbers of visitors and their physical impact on our land also deserves careful consideration too.

The Solution

We quickly realised that by diverting our resources to a fundraising campaign to raise over £3.5 million to achieve this state-of-the-art building, we would miss out on opportunities to be a dynamic force for change. So we put our creativity to work and have come up with a much better solution.
​
By changing the internal layout of our existing building we can create enough space within the existing building footprint to provide the additional classroom, community spaces, exhibition and interpretation areas that we need. This will reduce the cost of the building project dramatically and largely avoid the need for disruptive site works.

Old Leaky Roof

New Roof

Transform in stages

​The transformation of the building will be done in stages as time, money and resources come together. We can make good the building defects and upgrade the environmental performance of the building, services and IT connectivity. We have already made an impressive start by replacing the leaky and poorly insulated flat roof, installing double glazed windows to the first floor windows and installing air source heat pumps.

Old Windows

New Windows

thank you

We have been working towards this milestone for many years and would not have got as far as we have without generous grant funding support from The South Downs National Park - Community Infrastructure Levy Fund, East Hampshire District Council as well as our Friends, supporters and donors. 

We continue to fundraise for the next steps of the works to complete the transformation.

​Your donations, large and small, will be make this a reality. THANK YOU!