Into the Wild – Youth voices Rising

James’ project takes place in Dartmoor National Park and is part of Create UP!, a youth-led social action and storytelling programme run by Mafia Weekend CIC. They brought together a group of young people from Bristol—many of whom have limited access to wild spaces—for a 3-day residential at YHA Dartmoor.

The focus was on exploring how connection with nature supports mental health, creativity, and confidence, especially among young people from marginalised backgrounds. Through guided walks, mindfulness activities, creative writing, and storytelling, participants reflected on their experience and shape project ideas to bring back to their communities.

James created a short documentary-style film to capture the group’s reflections, the stunning Dartmoor landscape, and the wider message of nature as a tool for wellbeing and empowerment. This film will be shared at community screenings in Bristol to inspire more young people to engage with National Parks and get involved in social action.

Thank you to National Lottery players

What was the inspiration behind your project?

“The inspiration behind this project is personal. After feeling burnt out after my Master’s degree, I joined an expedition run by The Visionaries — a week of living in community and camping in the Lake District. It built up to a solo experience: nine hours alone in the wild. That time gave me clarity, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility to help others find their own connection with nature.

Four years later, I joined The Journey at Embercombe in Devon — another powerful experience that deepened my commitment to help people spend more time outdoors. I saw that time in nature isn’t just calming; it’s transformational.

During my Master’s in Social Innovation, I spent six months in a GP surgery in Newham, East London, where I saw first-hand how “green prescribing” — encouraging people to be outside — improved wellbeing. I worked with patients and clinicians to design a garden for the practice, which confirmed how vital nature connection is for health and community.

After years of being held by these kinds of experiences, my storytelling projects have become a way to give back — helping others pause, reconnect, and reimagine their place in the world.”

What do National Parks mean to you?

“To me, National Parks are sacred spaces — not just because of their natural beauty, but because of what they unlock in people. They offer a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and remember our place in something much bigger. As someone working with young people who often feel boxed in by city life, I’ve seen first-hand how even a single weekend in a wild landscape like Dartmoor can shift someone’s outlook. National Parks represent possibility, perspective, and healing — they’re places where stories begin, where confidence builds, and where the future can feel more open again.“