The future is red

Sometimes projects take several years in development and this is one of those! I have been supporting this partnership since 2019 and, in that time, it has grown in size, geography and ambition! In November 2024 we submitted the final application for funding, representing several years’ work and partnership effort. I am delighted to be able to say the application was successful and the Red Squirrel Recovery Network has been awarded almost £5 million funding from National Lottery The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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I live in Northumberland which is one of the few places in England where the red squirrel still exists, yet still we very rarely see them. I still get a little thrill whenever that happens. I only ever seem get a glimpse of one, maybe running across a road or along a tree branch, they rarely stay still long enough to watch them properly (and I am always in awe of people who are able to photograph them – they have more patience than I do!). In recent years, I have started seeing grey squirrels around – when I first moved here I never saw a grey but now they are more common than reds.

With funding from the National Lottery, the Red Squirrel Recovery Network will support partners to deliver a joined up conservation effort for the species across northern England and southern Scotland – co-ordinating effort, developing new approaches and making strategic decisions for a rare and iconic native species. I really hope this project can be a turning point for the species in areas where they are still holding on.

My role in this project was to lead project development including:
> Facilitating partnership meetings
> Advising about funder expectations
> Learning from partner specialists and experts
> Supporting partners to embed project within wider strategies
> Pulling together all project documents for funding submission
> Preparing the project budget and liaising with partner Finance Managers
> Preparing project timetable and partnership activity plan (co-ordinating local plans to present a joint partnership delivery plan)
> Supporting decision making (including overcoming challenges)
> Supporting meetings with the funder
> Facilitating discussions and steering partnership to plan for project future and longevity (what happens after project funding ends)