The Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust is delighted to announce that First 1000 Days has been awarded £19,800 from The National Lottery Community Fund, enabling the early years outdoor play programme to continue supporting families in Pembrokeshire from September 2026 through to the end of March 2027.
Delivered by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, First 1000 Days provides structured outdoor play and nature-based sessions for very young children and their parents or carers.
The programme offers an inclusive and supportive outdoor environment where children can play, explore and learn at their own pace. Families have told us how much the sessions have helped build confidence, reduce isolation and give them opportunities to enjoy time outdoors together.
Since First 1000 Days began in 2022, families have consistently highlighted the positive difference the programme makes to their wellbeing and to their children’s development.
The new National Lottery funding is fantastic news for the programme and the families who benefit from it. It will allow First 1000 Days to continue from September 2026 through to March 2027, building on the experience and learning from previous years and continuing to provide valuable outdoor opportunities for families across Pembrokeshire.
Kelly Davies, Outdoor Play Worker for First 1000 Days, said:
“We’re really excited to be able to continue First 1000 Days and welcome families back for another phase of the programme. The sessions give us the opportunity to spend time outdoors with children and their parents and carers, using nature and play to support children’s development, confidence and wellbeing.
“Every session is different, and we follow the children’s interests and needs, giving them the time and space to explore at their own pace. It’s wonderful to see children becoming more confident, trying new things and enjoying being outdoors, while parents and carers also have the chance to connect with others and share their experiences.
“This funding means we can keep delivering these sessions and continue building on the relationships we’ve developed with families over the years. We’re really looking forward to getting started with the next phase in September.”
The Trust is still seeking longer-term funding to secure the future of First 1000 Days beyond March 2027. This new award provides valuable stability and gives the programme another period in which to continue demonstrating its impact, while the Trust works to build a sustainable future for the programme.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust would like to thank The National Lottery Community Fund and National Lottery players for their support.
The Trust remains committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of need, ability or postcode, has the opportunity to thrive in nature during their earliest years.
The next phase of First 1000 Days will run from September 2026 to March 2027, with more information about the programme and upcoming activities to follow.