The Championing National Parks for Everyone (CNPfE) project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by the charity Peak District Mosaic in collaboration with Yorkshire Dales, Peak District and North York Moors National Park Authorities, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Derbyshire Dales CVS.
Our vision is that everyone should be confident to visit and enjoy our National Parks. This means that everyone can receive the health and well-being benefits of spending time in National Parks and has the knowledge to help protect them. However, we know there are inequalities in accessing National Parks, including people from ethnically and culturally diverse communities, and this is an exciting opportunity to work on a project that aims to change that.
We hope the final project will work with people from culturally and ethnically diverse communities to:
- Support more people to connect with nature and enjoy the National Parks
- Deliver outdoor activity days and training events that develop skills, confidence and awareness of the benefits of National Parks
- Deliver training sessions and provide resources to create a network of Community Champions, who are empowered to lead their own visits that introduce others to the National Parks in the way they think best
- Provide new employment and training opportunities in the sector
- Provide a variety of volunteering opportunities meeting the needs and interests of these communities
Community Champion Training
The heart of the CNPfE project is the 6-month Community Champion Training programme, which supports participants to gain the skills and knowledge for them to run safe and enjoyable activities within the National Park for friends, family and community members. This builds on the success of previous projects and aims to leave a successful legacy of Community Champions who will support others to visit in the future and who will be supported by the charity Peak District Mosaic.
30 community champions have taken part in project with them leading activities across the National Park.
These events enabled many participants from communities new to the National Park, to experience the Dales, build confidence in the outdoors, make new connections and feel a sense of belonging in the landscape
Feedback from Champions
When I saw the opportunity to become a Community Champion, I jumped at it. I did the training with a few friends, and it was one of the most positive experiences I have had. What stood out most was feeling safe and seen. As a Black woman, I have often felt like the only one in outdoor spaces. But this time, I was surrounded by people from diverse communities. I could be myself, with no need to explain. The trainers were knowledgeable, supportive, and reflective of the communities we come from; it made all the difference.
I am now leading walks with a women’s group we formed this year, planning family outings, and even organising team walks at work. The women’s group have shared that going out as a group lessens their loneliness & isolation, gets them talking, laughing and sharing ideas on life as well as doing something for themselves.
I am not alone in this journey. Another Champion joined the programme while considering a career change to work more directly with her community. She told me, “The training gave me the confidence to explore the Dales with my groups. I’ve made contacts and joined the Dales volunteers to keep supporting groups with the Learning & Engagement team. I’ve learnt so much, from navigation and route planning to risk assessment.”
For more information about the project, please contact Jamila Gaskin- Project Officer jamila.gaskin@yorkshiredales.org.uk
The Championing National Parks for Everyone project is made possible through the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
