SOS Young Birders Support Scheme
Are you passionate about birds? Are you aged between 16 and 25?
The Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) is here to help you develop your skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm for birdwatching and bird conservation.
Through the SOS Young Birders Support Scheme, we offer practical and financial support to young people in Sussex who want to deepen their understanding of birds and take part in bird conservation projects across the county.
To date bursaries given through the scheme have supported young birders to gain greater access to nature and birds through the purchase of field guides, optical or ringing equipment or by providing travel bursaries and accessibility equipment. This has helped young people to increase their birding knowledge and ID skills, carry out bird surveys and even support ambitions for a career in conservation. Another grant recipient used their new optics to help out at a youth birding event, showing birds to others and inspiring more young people to be passionate about birds and conservation.
Successful applicants can receive up to £500 to help with:
Essential birding equipment such as binoculars
Field guides and identification resources
Fees for selected training courses
Travel expenses for attending field trips and courses
A year’s membership of the Sussex Ornithological Society, including copies of the two most recent Sussex Bird Reports
Applications are considered twice a year, deadlines are 1st April and 1st October.
For more information or to request an application form, please email Jack Thompson at jackthompson.work@gmail.com.
With thanks to our supporter, Opticron.
Young Birders Event in Lewes19th June 2025SOS is running a free social and networking event for young birders aged 16-25 on 5 July at the Linklater Pavilion, Railway Land Wildlife Trust, Lewes BN7 2FG. As well as being an opportunity for sharing experiences, there will be some short video presentations and a chance to explore some of the bird life on this unique Reserve. SOS members will be there to chat about the Young Birders Support Scheme and membership of the Society.
The event is open from 10.00a.m. to 3.00p.m, but people are welcome to come for all or part of the day. It is free, but tickets must be booked through Eventbrite so we know numbers in advance. SOS may also be able to help with travel costs from within Sussex.
For further information, please contact Jack at jackthompson.work@gmail.com.
Young Birders – Autumn Update21st September 2024The SOS Young Birders’ Support Scheme aims to encourage young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to develop their interest in birds. Grants may be made to help with the cost of training courses and travel expenses, and binoculars, kindly provided by Opticron, are also available.
The first successful applicants have been using the support provided by SOS to increase their knowledge of birds in the county and to assist in carrying out surveys.
Further applications are welcome, and may be made throughout the year. Applicants must live, work or study in Sussex.
Forms are available from Mya Bambrick: myabambrick10@gmail.com
SOS is running a free social and networking event for young birders aged 16-25 on 5 July at the Linklater Pavilion, Railway Land Wildlife Trust, Lewes BN7 2FG. As well as being an opportunity for sharing experiences, there will be some short video presentations and a chance to explore some of the bird life on this unique Reserve. SOS members will be there to chat about the Young Birders Support Scheme and membership of the Society.
The event is open from 10.00a.m. to 3.00p.m, but people are welcome to come for all or part of the day. It is free, but tickets must be booked through Eventbrite so we know numbers in advance. SOS may also be able to help with travel costs from within Sussex.
For further information, please contact Jack at jackthompson.work@gmail.com.
The SOS Young Birders’ Support Scheme aims to encourage young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to develop their interest in birds. Grants may be made to help with the cost of training courses and travel expenses, and binoculars, kindly provided by Opticron, are also available.
The first successful applicants have been using the support provided by SOS to increase their knowledge of birds in the county and to assist in carrying out surveys.
Further applications are welcome, and may be made throughout the year. Applicants must live, work or study in Sussex.
Forms are available from Mya Bambrick: myabambrick10@gmail.com
