Derry~Londonderry project says £5k donation will ‘make a huge difference’ and allows ‘us to live by our values’

An environmental education initiative based in the heart of Derry~Londonderry has been awarded £5,000 through Loganair’s GreenSkies community fund to help power sustainable learning for local schoolchildren and community groups.

Shed the Light, based at Creggan Country Park, will use the funding to install a solar-powered generator at its Nature Hub. This unique educational facility sits within a 100-acre site of reservoirs, woodland, and wetland, all just minutes from Derry~Londonderry city centre.

The solar generator will provide a vital off-grid energy source for the hub, enabling Shed the Light to expand its delivery of hands-on environmental learning by powering lighting, internet, and digital resources for workshops and sessions, come rain or shine.

We have absolutely no power at the Nature Hub, and it’s just not possible to run a cable from the main building because it’s across a reservoir,

explained Shauna Conaghan from Shed the Light.

This solar generator means we can provide light and internet. We can use a projector, show films, and access interactive resources that help bring environmental issues to life. It’s such a simple thing, but it’s going to make a huge difference.

Shed the Light runs weekly sessions for local primary schools, as well as activities for toddlers, families, and adults with learning difficulties. From tree planting to pond dipping, woodland meditation to composting, every element of the group’s programming is focused on fostering environmental awareness and stewardship.

On wet days, getting the children inside can be a real challenge. The shed doesn’t have any lighting or power, so it’s often either too dark or a bit damp to use properly, said Shauna. This generator means we can get them inside and keep learning. It helps us live our values by generating that power sustainably, and it’s portable too, so that we can use it in the woods or for other activities around the park.

Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, established the GreenSkies Community Fund in 2021 to support local sustainability projects across Scotland and beyond. Through the fund, a portion of each ticket purchased contributes to environmental and community initiatives focused on climate resilience and decarbonisation.
 
Rebecca Borresen, director of safety and sustainability at Loganair, said:

GreenSkies was created to help support local environmental projects like this - grassroots initiatives that bring the benefits of sustainability directly to the heart of their communities.

Shed the Light is an inspiring example of how environmental education can be woven into everyday experiences, and we’re proud to be supporting their work.