Celebrating a year of discovery

Yesterday (Wednesday 21st April), a team of ‘Young Champions’ came together at the ‘X’ Centre in Exeter to celebrate the completion of a year-long youth led project to discover a new generation of supporters for Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks. The Campaign for National (1) parks led the project, building on its ground-breaking Mosaic (2) model of engaging under-represented groups by empowering individuals to promote the National Parks to others. In south west England Mosaic targeted the 16-25 age group and recruited 18 ‘Young Champions’ from communities in Plymouth, Exeter, Bideford and Barnstaple who are now all active in promoting the National Parks to their peers. 

The event yesterday showcased the work of the project. From world record attempts at tree planting to murder mystery tours on Dartmoor, young people are exploring in their own unique way how to make these treasured landscapes relevant and important to their generation. Mosaic allows young people to be themselves, without dictating how and why people should visit the Parks, ensuring that a diverse group of youngsters become enthused by these iconic landscapes for years to come.

For many of the ‘Young Champions’, the introduction to these special landscapes has resulted in a radical attitude change.  One champion, Steve, says ‘the illusion has been broken that [it’s] all about rambling. I’ve discovered that there’s archery, gorge scrambling and high ropes – all kinds of fun.’

David Rolls is the Mosaic Research Officer and has led the youth project at a grass roots level. He comments, ‘Young people are brilliant leaders and they make things happen.’ This is certainly true of Mosaic and the facts speak for themselves. In the last 6 months:

• 200+ days have been volunteered by the young champions
• 76 awards have been achieved by the young champions
• £10,000 of ‘in kind’ support has been received
• 100+ new young people have visited Dartmoor and Exmoor
• 1,000 hours have been spent in the Parks
• 20 events have been championed by the young people
• 6 National Park services have been ‘youth proofed’
• 100% of the young people have developed new skills and confidence  

Young people are benefiting in many different ways. ‘Through Mosaic, I’ve found new volunteers for my conservation project, I’ve made connections with the YHA and I have had help applying for funding.’ Katie’s new found skills have just landed her project £2,000 from a Sustainable Development Fund. Steve adds, ‘I’ve met so many people and because I want to be a youth worker this project has helped me to develop the leadership skills I need.’ Khalil has learned to read a map and now believes he ‘can go anywhere.’ This is a ringing endorsement for Mosaic, which also aims to build life skills and leadership qualities amongst young people in an outdoors environment. 

The project is also about encouraging organisational change. Caz, George and Sarah from a youth organisation called Switch have been helping to ‘youth proof’ the Exmoor National Park Authority’s visitor services to help make their materials more appealing to younger audiences. This has resulted in the National Park Authority asking them to design a pocket guide about Exmoor, targeting young people.   

With many of the ‘Young Champions’ coming from less advantaged urban backgrounds and facing additional challenges such as disability, unemployment or living in sheltered housing, this project is an important step in opening up the countryside to people who would not otherwise get the chance to enjoy its benefits. It is also part of CNP’s objective to help find a new generation of supporters inspired to protect the National Parks in the future. The good news is that CNP has recently been awarded additional funding to extend the project in the south west, from the Young Foundation through the Youth of Today programme (3).

Mosaic has been commended by CNP President Ben Fogle. When interviewed about the project he said, ‘It’s not a good idea, it’s a brilliant idea. For many ‘Young Champions’, Mosaic has given them a sense of belonging. I feel humbled and proud to have met them.’

Praise also comes from Bill Hitchins, Chair of Dartmoor National Park Authority, and Andrea Davis, Vice Chair of Exmoor National Park Authority, both of whom attended the event yesterday. When referring to the future of National Parks, Bill Hitchins said they ‘are in good hands.’  

For further information, contact:
Nina Arwitz (Mosaic Programme Manager): 020 7924 4077 ext. 227
David Rolls (Mosaic Research Officer): 0793 509 9462

Notes to editors:
(1) In 2011 the Campaign for National Parks (CNP) will be celebrating 75 years of working to protect and promote the National Parks of England and Wales. CNP was instrumental in bringing about the Act of Parliament that enabled the designation of National Parks in 1949. Today the charity is made up of about 40 national and local environmental and amenity organisations and takes a lead role in safeguarding some of Britain’s most iconic landscapes. For more information visit www.cnp.org.uk (registered charity number 295336).

(2) Mosaic is a partnership between the Campaign for National Parks, the Youth Hostels Association and 9 National Park Authorities in England. Mosaic is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature as a part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme, with match funding from Nationwide Building Society, DEFRA and the partners themselves. For more information visit www.mosaicnationalparks.org.

(3) The Youth of Today is a consortium of leading youth organisations working together to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of opportunities for young people as leaders of change in their communities. It is funded and supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and Communities and Local Government and led by The National Youth Agency, British Youth Council, Changemakers, Citizenship Foundation, The Prince's Trust, UK Youth Parliament and the Young Foundation.