Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is one of the many charities to have benefited from the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the Gazette & Herald’s publishers.

It was awarded a grant of £7,678 in 2012 to help with its Wellbeing programme, which uses nature to improve the overall wellbeing and physical fitness of people with mental health issues.

The charity used the grant to buy equipment such as pole lathes, charcoal kilns, forks and a tent. It also funded activities such as first aid training and green woodworking courses, which provide skills and qualifications.

Wellbeing project officer Tim Kaye said: “The equipment and training funded by the Gannett Foundation has been invaluable for the volunteers on WWT’s Wellbeing programme.

“Volunteers have gained a great deal of satisfaction from producing woodland crafts and products through the use of the pole lathe and charcoal burner.

“For some it has been a life changing experience as new skills have been learnt, friendships formed and wellbeing benefits gained from time spent in the natural environment.”

In the past ten years, the Gannett Foundation has presented more than £4m of grants to deserving causes in communities all over the UK.

All organisations will be considered for a Gannett grant but each year has a theme. For 2014, hospices are being encouraged to apply. Hospices get about a third of their funding from the NHS, but rely on donations.

Applicants must be registered charities and the foundation will not consider any that have had a Gannett grant in the past two years.

Grants will not be given to fund salaries and running costs, appeals as opposed to specific projects, or to promote political or religious groups.

Application forms are available at www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/resources/files/32583

Forms, with supporting documents, should be posted to Pauline Howard, Gazette & Herald Gannett Fund, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon SN1 3BE, by September 12.