Mosaic’s aim
Mosaic was created after a 2001 National Park visitor survey showed that less than 1% of visitors to the Parks were from an ethnic minority background. With 10% of the population of the UK from an ethnic minority background, Mosaic was created to help bridge this gap.
The Mosaic projects worked with people or ‘Champions’ with an interest in National Parks and provided them with training and the ability to promote different aspects of National Park to others in their community. After the initial success of the project, we opened up opportunities to other audiences, including groups of young people.
Mosaic’s Legacy
Mosaic was a great success due to the personalised support each Champion received during the project. We work closely with National Park Authorities and Societies, the YHA and other organisations active in the National Parks to achieve this.
Many Champions have gone on to do a range of activities in or with their National Park, with several trained as volunteer Rangers and others building on relationships to organise regular visits to and engagement with the National Parks. One Champion even became a member of the YHA board of trustees, whilst others have gone on to run their own projects in the Parks, such as the Hindu Samaj Heritage in the Peak District and Drinking Ginger in the South Downs.
There’s also a lasting impact on the individual Champions health and mental wellbeing. Almost all participants reporting better wellbeing as a result of visiting National Parks.
Mosaic Timeline
2001-2004 Mosaic project for minority ethnic communities.
2005-2008 Mosaic partnership project – building links between ethnic minority communities and five National Parks in England and Wales (Bannau Brycheiniog, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and Exmoor).
2008-2012 Mosaic – building sustainable links between ethnic minority communities and National Parks in England.
2009-2011 Mosaic for 16 to 25 year olds – Pilot project with Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks.
2012-2015 Mosaic – building sustainable links between ethnic minority communities and National Parks in Wales.
2012-2016 Mosaic – building skills, employability and leadership for young people through engagement with National Parks.
Case Studies
Hear from those who participated in the projects and what it meant to them to be involved.