National Lottery backing supports ambitious new chapter for Tyne Rivers Trust
We have been awarded £249,579 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to invest in the people, systems and organisational foundations that will help us increase our long-term impact across the Tyne catchment.
The funding will support our Foundations for the Future project, an 18-month programme focused on strengthening the organisation behind our work to protect and restore rivers.
For us, this investment is about making sure Tyne Rivers Trust has the people, infrastructure and resilience it needs to respond to the challenges facing our rivers, both now and in the years ahead.
Why this investment matters
Rivers across the Tyne catchment are facing growing and interconnected pressures, from pollution and habitat loss to invasive species, declining wildlife and the impacts of climate change.
Recent events have also demonstrated just how quickly additional pressures can emerge. Following the plastic pellet spill in the River Tyne this summer, concerns around pollution and the potential impact on wildlife have brought renewed attention to the vulnerability of our rivers and estuaries, and the importance of protecting the waterways that people, wildlife and local communities depend upon.
Against that backdrop, we are investing now in the foundations that will allow us to respond more effectively to both immediate challenges and the longer-term pressures facing our rivers.
Investing in people, systems and resilience
The National Lottery investment will support new roles across philanthropy and partnerships, systems, projects and communications.
Together, these will increase our capacity to build long-term relationships, attract new investment, strengthen the way we use data and evidence, and communicate more effectively with communities, supporters and stakeholders.
Investment is also being made in the internal infrastructure needed to support the Trust’s future growth.
Work already under way includes the procurement of a new organisation-wide Customer Relationship Management system, alongside a comprehensive HR and organisational review designed to ensure we have the structures, processes and people frameworks needed to operate effectively and sustainably.
Further investment will include improvements to data management, governance, health and safety and digital systems, alongside a refreshed website and organisational identity.
Ultimately, this isn’t simply about creating a bigger organisation. It is about building a stronger and more resilient one, capable of delivering greater impact for rivers, wildlife and communities.
Better systems will help us use environmental evidence more effectively and demonstrate the impact of our work. Increased fundraising capacity will support more sustainable and diverse sources of income, reducing reliance on short-term project funding and enabling longer-term planning.
Stronger communications and engagement infrastructure will also help more people connect with their local rivers and understand how they can support their recovery.
Building the organisation we need for the future
Sophia Stovall, Chief Executive Officer at Tyne Rivers Trust, said:
“This funding comes at a pivotal moment for Tyne Rivers Trust.
“The challenges facing our rivers are becoming increasingly complex. Pollution, habitat loss, declining native species and the effects of climate change all require long-term thinking, strong partnerships and an organisation with the resilience and capacity to respond.
“Recent pollution incidents have also been a stark reminder that our rivers can face sudden pressures alongside the longer-term challenges we are already working to address.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, we now have the opportunity to invest in the foundations that will help us do that.
“Some of this investment will happen behind the scenes, in our people, systems and infrastructure, but the reason for doing it is very much about what happens out on our rivers.
“It will help us make better use of evidence, strengthen relationships with communities, landowners, land managers and other partners, attract new investment and ultimately develop and deliver more ambitious work for rivers and wildlife.”
“This is about building the organisation we need for the future, and creating the conditions for greater impact over the years ahead.”
Supporting the future of our natural heritage
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“Rivers are an important part of our natural heritage, supporting wildlife, shaping landscapes and connecting communities with the places in which they live.
“We are delighted to support Tyne Rivers Trust thanks to National Lottery players, who have told us time and time again that natural heritage is of great importance to them. We are very proud to be investing in this project.”
Naomi Kinghorn, Head of Investment, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added:
“By investing in Tyne River Trust’s people, systems and long-term resilience, this project will help the organisation to strengthen its ability to care for river heritage and involve more people in its development. It is vital that we value, rebuild and protect our natural heritage so it is sustained for the future, and supporting organisations like Tyne River Trust can help to realise that vision.”
Looking ahead
The funding comes as we develop our new three-year strategy, setting out how Tyne Rivers Trust will strengthen its resilience, increase its impact and respond to the changing pressures facing rivers.
The strategy places particular emphasis on investment in people, systems, governance, partnerships and long-term financial resilience, alongside catchment-scale environmental action and greater opportunities for people to connect with and care for their local waterways.
We’ll be sharing more about the Trust’s future direction and our ambitions for the rivers we work to protect this autumn.
Made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage.
The Tyne Rivers Trust – Foundations for the Future is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, Tyne Rivers Trust is able to invest in the people, systems and organisational capacity needed to protect and restore river heritage for the future.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. As the largest funder for the UK’s heritage, it supports projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in its strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. The Heritage Fund believes in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and build pride in place and connection to the past.
By 2033, The National Lottery Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6billion, raised for good causes by National Lottery players, to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
