The Nature Hubs Fund
Spending time in nature makes 8 in 10 (81%) of us feel better. But did you need us to tell you that? Though most of us know intuitively how good being in nature is for us, almost 4 in 10 people (37%) in the UK spend less than an hour a week in nature1.
The Nature Hubs Fund, supported by Starbucks UK, has enabled 141 community groups across England, Scotland and Wales to create or enhance green spaces with funding of up to £6,000. The aim? To bring nature closer to people and people closer to nature.
So, what is a Nature Hub exactly?
From transformative new community gardens to exciting urban greening projects, Nature Hubs all meet a strong need for green space in their local areas. They get people from different backgrounds involved and create a lasting legacy for their communities.
Here are a few examples from projects we've funded:
...worked with the local community to transform an unused piece of fenced-in land by Dawberry Corner into a thriving community garden which contains herb and vegetable beds, a wildflower meadow, and space to meet for social activities.
...took a small patch of fenced-off land (creating a trap for litter!) and created a low maintenance, climate resistant green space for the local community.
...built their site's first-ever raised planter beds in the courtyard behind their theatre. The space welcomes local community groups for regular gardening sessions and makes for the perfect quiet spot for the theatre's staff to relax and learn lines between rehearsals.
...a university student worked with a local organisation to take a patch of unused land near the Scraith Wood housing estate and build a small, welcoming garden.
Stronger, greener communities
The Nature Hubs Fund is part of Hubbub and Starbucks’ wider ambition to build stronger, greener communities across the UK. Since 2024, £921,300 of funding has been donated to 141 organisations creating or enhancing green spaces.
This fund will improve access and connection to nature in the communities Starbucks serves, by developing green spaces local to Starbucks stores (1.5km on average).
Want more to dig into?
Check out Hubbub’s Community Nature Network
Tips for gardening in a changing climate
Tips for talking about climate change
Sources:
1 Hubbub x Censuswide Nationally Representative Polling of 3,000 UK adults (April 2024)
Want to do more for the environment?
Ever wondered what to do with your old clothes, how you can make your food go further, or your smartphone last longer?