Community Connections Scheme
The aim of the scheme is to provide 5,000 free tickets per year to organisations and community groups who support groups that would normally face barriers to visiting the zoo. We want to make visiting the zoo more accessible so that more people can enjoy the zoo, be empowered to live more sustainably and to build relationships with local organisations.
We will invite charities, non-profit organisations and community groups who work with certain groups to apply for an allocation of tickets for their beneficiaries.
Organisations must support people on low-incomes, who face financial barriers to visiting the zoo.
We will prioritise organisations that meet the criteria above in addition to these additional key audiences:
• Young people age 12-25
• People with additional needs and/or disabilities,
• People of colour and minority ethnic groups)
Please note, we will be prioritising groups that work with people within the range of our Networks for Nature Project. However, tickets are not limited to groups within that area.
Exemptions:
• Schools
• Uniform groups
• No raffle requests
• Individuals
VIEW Nature for Networks project area
An allocation of 5,000 tickets is available which will be distributed to those organisations that meet the criteria on a first come, first served basis. Once the annual allocation has been used any further applications that are approved will be placed on a priority list for the next round of tickets.
Through this scheme we hope to remove as many barriers as we can to create opportunities for people to enjoy our zoo. We want to ensure that Chester Zoo is accessible to everyone and that everyone has the opportunity to experience our incredible species and conservation work.
Some of the other ways we support our amazing local communities:
Once a year, we run a very special event here at Chester Zoo. We open our gates for the evening and welcome 200 families with children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions to enjoy an evening together. We work with our local charities who invite families on our behalf to the evening.
Creating memories as a family is ever so important. We love that we’re such an important part of people’s lives, and value our place in family traditions.
With this in mind, when someone is receiving palliative care we are happy to offer ‘A Day to Remember’ to make it as easier for families to visit. To find out more about the criteria and how to apply, please fill in this form.
Each year, we offer free entry to the zoo for 42,000 school pupils visiting between a specific period, in a bid to broaden the impact of our work as a conservation and education charity inspiring the next generation of conservationists.
This offer is open to Early Years and Foundation through to Year 13 pupils. Independent schools are not eligible to book in this first round of tickets free places.
We’re lucky to have a team of experts who are passionate about conservation and want to spread our mission of preventing extinction into the community. Wherever possible, we can explore the opportunity for a member of the team to speak at your event, although please be aware this will depend on availability and location. Fill in this form and follow the instructions. We’ll look into your request.