Kabeer’s Story

As a teenager in urban Bradford, Kabeer Bostan first discovered the Dales on a muddy but exhilarating school trip to Yorkshire’s Three Peaks.

Now, as Mosaic Project Officer for the four northern National Parks, he works with staff from the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Lake District and Northumberland National Park Authorities to improve understanding amongst black and minority ethnic communities.

“The best bit of my job is getting to visit the National Parks on my doorstep, finding out how they work and the things they do”, he says.

“I also see the best countryside - it’s a great job even if travelling between them is exhausting!”

Kabeer was born in Bradford in 1980 into what he describes as a working class family. His father worked in the textile industry and his mum looked after the family. When the industry went into decline, his father was laid off, and, as a manual labourer with little English and no qualifications, he found it hard to get work.

This experience made his parents determined that their children should get a good education so that they could make the most of their opportunities.

Undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge with Grange Upper School was Kabeer’s first real taste of the English countryside.

“Although I came home tired and muddy from getting partially stuck in a bog, I felt great, sharing stories of the scramble up one of the summits, the pouring rain and the sense of achievement in walking 24 miles in one day.”

At Bradford University studying chemistry, he volunteered with Youthbank, a project supporting youth-led action.

“I met a young Asian woman employed by Bradford Youth Service who was looking for young people interested in the outdoors and active in their community. I thought ‘great, a chance to get back into the countryside’”.

Kabeer had to do a minimum of forty hill walks towards a Walking Group Leader qualification, and the group began hiking in the Yorkshire Dales National Park to get experience of different terrain.

“Funny story must be walking through a huge field with nothing as far as the eye can see except a single signpost - which my friend managed to walk into!”

In the last year, morale was running low - only four of the original 10 completed the qualification - so Kabeer decided to look for others trying to get BME communities into the outdoors.

He came across the Mosaic project on the internet and became a Community Champion for the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Since then, he has been interviewed by Radio 4 and approached by the British Mountaineering Council to join their Equality Committee and help them be more inclusive to under-represented groups - as well as appearing on national television in full walking gear.

Kabeer says: “I’d encourage anyone interested in the outdoors to go on the National Park websites for ideas of what to do and places to visit. And if you prefer talking to a person, then the National Park Centres are excellent and really friendly when providing ideas.”

“I’d also recommend getting a hill walking book that teaches some of the basics of navigation so that you can go out there and explore the great outdoors yourself!”

If you are a community group and would like to find out more about enjoying the National Park, we can help with advice and information and may be able to provide a walk leader. Contact catherine.kemp@yorkshiredales.org.uk or call Catherine on 01756 751623. Try one of our family-friendly, drop-in events as a taster - check the events listing for details. 

Location: Yorkshire Dales
permalink

The Community Channel www.communitychannel.org/ is showing a series of short films the week commencing 1 March. 

Please see press release below:

UNTOLD STORIES

A SERIES OF POWERFUL SHORT FILMS CHAMPIONING THE CAUSES OF UK CHARITIES MADE BY VOLUNTEERS FROM THE FILM AND TV INDUSTRY TO BE BROADCAST ON COMMUNITY CHANNEL.

Untold Stories is a new five-part series profiling the extraordinary work of lesser-known charities. Each film has been directed and produced by professional filmmakers who have volunteered their time to help 25 different causes.  Each episode is introduced by Sir Trevor McDonald who says “All over the country, small organisations are making big changes in areas like health, sport and the environment. Without the support of Community Channel and the volunteers their stories would remain untold.”

The series, to be broadcast on Community Channel from Monday 1st March, will be stripped across the week with each episode made up of five short films.  

The first episode opens with JUMP, a moving film made by former Hollyoaks scriptwriter and editor, Richard Shaw. JUMP is the name of the children’s charity, based in the North West, set up by Christine Hawthorn and her daughter Christie following the death of Christie’s son Jacob who was diagnosed with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy. 

Christine documented each day of Jacob’s tragically short life with photographs and videos so that his memory could live on. “It was not just about the photographs,” says Christie. “It was about capturing his [Jacob’s] voice.” Knowing how easy it is to let the happy memories fade when caring for a child on a day-to-day basis, the Hawthorn’s decided to offer other families of disabled and terminally ill children this unique opportunity of celebrating their child’s achievements. 

“They have a wonderful way of making you feel that you have the most special child in the world,” says Sam Copeland, whose five year old daughter Beth suffers from Spina Bifida and is confined to a wheelchair.  The film captures Beth proudly describing the moment Tigeroo, the charity’s mascot, made her feel the most important bridesmaid at her sister’s wedding. This heart-warming mini documentary highlights the power of JUMP and the continuing impact it has on children and their families. 

Episode two starts with a film about London-based homeless charity Groundswell, called The Escape Plan, produced and directed by Rachel Harvie at Love Productions. Groundswell gives grants and training to help homeless people regain control of their lives. 

Andrew was a security guard with a good income but with no focus or financial guidance, he turned to drugs ending up on the streets a crack cocaine addict with no job.  Today Andrew works as an advisor for Groundswell. The film also meets Spike who lived in squats and hostels from the age of 17 ending up in prison a heroin addict aged 39. “I was disappointed with life,” he says.  “My motto was live hard and fast, die young and end up a good-looking corpse”. Today Spike has turned his life around, he runs his own business, has a staff of 20 and an annual turnover of £150,000 and wants to inspire others to do the same. 

The Escape Plan is a new piece of research conducted by Groundswell which seeks to capture the wisdom of formerly homeless people who have successfully moved on, like Andrew and Spike.  It will disseminate this information to currently homeless people, to help them also escape the cycle of homelessness.

Episode three begins with MOSAIC, made by award winning filmmaker Zeina Aboul-Hosn. Siblings Khadija and Ahmed love the Lake District. Having spent most of their lives caught up in the neighbouring sprawl of Preston, they have been coming to this beautiful National Park for years.  Now they want to make sure that others in their community also have a chance to visit our most spectacular landscapes.  

This charming film highlights the work of Mosaic, a partnership lead by the Campaign for National Parks, which trains ‘Community Champions’ like Khadija and Ahmed to encourage their local communities to enjoy the beauty of the open air. About 100 million people visit Britain’s National Parks a year but only one percent are from ethnic minorities. Mosaic wants to change this and Khadija and Ahmed are leading the way. 

The Sequal Trust starts the fourth episode, made with the expertise of professional filmmaker James Bolchover, about a fundraising charity for people in urgent need of communication aids. Hannah was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth, she cannot speak and has limited mobility. Today Hannah is at college, has a great social life and loves to text as much as any other 20-year-old. 17-year-old Leo has a condition called ‘Global Developmental Delay’ that affects all areas of his life. It is debilitating, isolating and deeply frustrating. 

This enlightening short shows how The Sequal Trust has transformed the lives of so many young people. By raising money to buy the highly sophisticated communication systems needed to help people like Hannah and Leo, 

The Sequal Trust is helping them find their voices and enabling them to lead independent lives. 

The fifth and final episode of the Untold Stories week starts with Stop The Clock, a short film made under the guidance of BBC producer Susan Doyon highlighting the race against time of people with ataxia for the charity Ataxia UK. Ataxia is a degenerative neurological condition that can strike at any age and affects balance, coordination and speech to the point that most people become entirely dependent on others.

This powerful film visually highlights the uphill battle people with ataxia face as they fight against their body clock to maintain independence. “Soon she will not have the use of her legs, will no longer be able to make a cup of tea or be recognised by her friends on the phone,” says the film’s narrator. This punchy short drives home the urgent need for greater understanding of and research into this potentially treatable disease.

Untold Stories will be shown on Community Channel which broadcasts on Sky (539), Virgin TV (233) and Freeview (87) commencing on 1 March 2010. 

Press contact

Rebecca Ladbury, Ladbury PR Ltd

Rebecca@ladburypr.com

07941 224975

Notes to Editors
Media Trust

Media Trust is the UK’s leading communications charity.  They believe that everyone should have a voice and the opportunity to be heard.  They work with media organisations and charities to enhance their communications and enable communities to find their voice.  They own and run Community Channel, the UK’s only national TV channel dedicated to communities, their stories and the organisations that support them.

Community Channel

Community Channel is dedicated to engaging people with the charitable and voluntary sector, showcasing stories and issues that inspire action and encourage involvement.  Broadcasting original shows, the best of terrestrial TV and showcasing the work of new directors and community programme-makers, Community Channel is the place for real-life stories from communities around the world.  The channel is broadcast 24 hours a day on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233 and from 6am to 9am on Freeview 87.  Community Channel is a Media Trust initiative, www.communitychannel.org

JUMP

JUMP provide a professional photography service to children who have life limiting conditions.

Charity contact: Christine Hawthorn (Founder) 07837 705522 

Email: shawtchris@aol.com

Groundswell

Groundswell’s mission is to empower homeless people to create their own solutions to homelessness.

Charity contact: Athol Halle (CEO) 020 7976 0111

Email: athol@groundswell.org.uk

MOSAIC / Campaign for National Parks

MOSAIC is a national project, led by the Campaign for National Parks, which aims to build sustainable links between black and minority ethnic communities and the National Parks and Youth Hostels Association. 

Ben Fogle is President of CNP and, as a keen supporter of Mosaic, says “Going to the countryside inspired me when I was a child, and led me to pursue the adventures I enjoy now as an adult.  Mosaic is a fantastic project that works to make sure that everyone has that opportunity to experience and be amazed by the most spectacular landscapes in our country.”

Charity contact: Nina Arwitz (Programme Manager) 020 7924 4077

Email: Nina@cnp.org.uk

The Sequal Trust

The Sequal Trust aims to bridge the communication gap by supplying specialist communication equipment for disabled people of all ages across the UK.

Charity contact: Liz Downes 01691 624222

Email: info@thesequaltrust.org.uk

Ataxia UK

The UK’s leading charity for people with ataxia, their families and carers.  The charity also funds research into causes and potential treatments.  

Charity contact: Claire McGowan (Communications Manager) 020 7587 3925

Email: cmcgowan@ataxia.org.uk

permalink

To listen to an interview with Preston-based Community Champion Ahmed Nakhuda, follow this link:

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p006bl4d/Indus_14_02_2010/

permalink

Natural England is now consulting on proposed extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.  It’s important that as many people as possible support the extensions. For more details on the consultation please see www.lakestodaleslandscapes.org.uk  It would be helpful if you could encourage your Prospective Parliamentary Candidates to support these extensions.  CNP and the Friends of the Lake District will be preparing a detailed response to each area in February. This will be posted on our websites. The consultation closes on 17 March.  For further information or details contact: ruth@cnp.org.uk or alex@cnp.org.uk or jack-ellerby@fld.org.uk

Location: Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks
permalink

Press Release

Mountain bike and horse riding groups who use Dartmoor are being called upon to help develop a new leaflet. People who get involved could help take the leaflet to the shelves of national park visitor centres nationwide!
 
Project Coordinator Milan Recknagel explains: “While families with younger children and the older generations are well catered for by national parks, there is not so much information and publications aimed at 16 to 25 year olds. A leaflet is being produced to provide guidance, top tips and some exciting one to two hour routes for new users and anyone looking for short but intense rides. North Dartmoor is being targeted for its accessibility and variable, mountainous terrain.”
 
The leaflet is being developed by The Mosaic project  (run by the Campaign for National Parks) in Partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority. Mosaic has two main aims. The first is to encourage younger people and ethnic minorities to access the moors and to make more use of the National Parks. The second is to help National Parks Authorities improve their services to cater for these groups. Any mountain bike and horse riding groups who would like to become involved will receive recognition for their involvement in mapping new routes.
 
Anyone interested should contact either Milan Recknagel by email: milanboez@hotmail.com, or Mosaic Research Officer David Rolls on 07935099462 or by email david@cnp.org.uk.
 
For more information and photos please contact:
Mosaic Project Officer, David Rolls: 07935 099 462
Mosaic Programme Manager, Nina Arwitz: 020 7924 4077 ext. 227.
Mosaic Young Champion Milan Recknagel: milanboez@hotmail.com,
Or visit: www.mosaicnationalparks.org.uk

Notes to editors  Mosaic is a national project that aims to build sustainable links between young people, as well as ethnic minorities, and the National Parks. It is a partnership between the Campaign for National Parks, the Youth Hostels Association and the 9 organisations that run the National Parks in England: the Broads Authority, Dartmoor National Park Authority (NPA), Exmoor NPA, Lake District NPA, New Forest NPA, North York Moors NPA, Northumberland NPA, Peak District NPA and the Yorkshire Dales NPA.  Mosaic is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature as a part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme. Access to Nature has provided £932,314 toward this £1.7 million project, with match funding from Nationwide Building Society, Defra and the partners themselves.

Location: Dartmoor
permalink

60th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act

Please follow this link to send messages and share your memories www.nationalparks.gov.uk/yourmessages.htm

permalink

PRESS RELEASE

Young people from the Youth Open Space International Club teamed up with the Dartmoor National Park Authority, and groups throughout the UK, to attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘Greatest number of trees planted in a single hour’ during National Tree Week. The 10 young people planted the target of 75 trees in an hour in Smiths Wood on the edge of Dartmoor.

Javid Haydari 17, who had helped organise the session said: ‘It was great working as a team; despite the rain! It was good so many of the boys got up on a Saturday to help.’

Willem Montagne (Dartmoor National Park Authority Education Officer) said: ‘It was a tremendous effort and it was reassuring to see how well the trees were planted.’

Dr Suaad Genem-George from the Devon Race Equality Council, who supports the group, said: ‘We are so grateful to Dartmoor National Park Authority for making this happen. Before the event hardly any of the group, if any, had planted a tree, let alone been to Dartmoor!’

The Dartmoor planting was just one of a number of events on Dartmoor and Exmoor facilitated by the Mosaic Project, which works with groups who face barriers in accessing National Parks.

For more information and photos please contact:
Mosaic Project Officer David Rolls: 07935 099 462 / Programme Manager Nina Arwitz: 020 7924 4077 ext. 227.
Or visit: www.mosaicnationalparks.org.uk

Notes to editors
1.    Mosaic is a national project that aims to build sustainable links between young people, as well as ethnic minorities, and the National Parks. It is a  partnership between the Campaign for National Parks, the Youth Hostels Association and the 9 organisations that help look after the National Parks in England: the Broads Authority, Dartmoor National Park Authority (NPA), Exmoor NPA, Lake District NPA, New Forest NPA, North York Moors NPA, Northumberland NPA, Peak District NPA and the Yorkshire Dales NPA.  Mosaic is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature as a part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme. Access to Nature has provided £932,314 toward this £1.7 million project, with match funding from Nationwide Building Society, Defra and the partners themselves.
2.    6 Nations were represented at the tree planting
3.    The event was supported by Devon County Council, Teignbridge District Council and the Forestry Commission.
4.    Further information on the work of the Race Equality Council can be found at: www.devonrec.org.uk
5.    Photographs available upon request.
6.    Young people were drawn from across Devon with a focus on Barnstaple, Exeter, Plymouth and Bideford.
 

Location: Dartmoor
permalink

PRESS RELEASE

 Ten young people from a variety of backgrounds based in Barnstable, Bideford and Exeter have just returned home after experiencing a weekend of wilderness of Exmoor in their roles as Mosaic Young Champions.  The event was organised by Mosaic (1) in partnership with Exmoor National Park Authority and the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) (2).  Here they tell their story:

 The Mosaic crew, after rowing past waves and dams, made it to the wooded island shores to set up camp and survive the freeze from the heat of the fires flames. Only the night before, the team had learned how to navigate ocean waters in accordance with the stars. Thankfully this time land was grounded with the gleaming sunlight overhead.

 ‘I REALLY ENJOYED THE RAFTING!’ screamed Sarah, an eager Mosaic participant. But really what thrilled her was witnessing the skilled, executed technique required to light the fire with the Swedish firelighter. Steven, 21, discovered his talent for downhill-mountain-biking and Ash, aged 19, ‘loved it’.

 David resented his absence from the main event. Instead, the sweet ponies stole his heart and took him away from the action. PONIES PONIES PONIES!!! Georgie couldn’t retain her excitement upon reflecting on her day. She also advised other ponies to ensure their fur is not white in order to show their Exmoor heritage. Resting in the warm atmosphere of Minehead YHA, the group joked and told stories into the night.

 And the final word is left to Steve: ‘A big thankyou to Minehead YHA, Exmoor National Park Authority and Mosaic for a great weekend.  Mosaic supports 16 – 25 yr olds to experience what the Moors have to offer by overcoming the barriers that may impede their access to these great environments’.

 Press release written by Milan Recknagel, 21

 For more information and photos please contact:

Mosaic Programme Manager, Nina Arwitz: 020 7924 4077 ext. 227.

Mosaic Project Officer, David Rolls: 07935 099 462

Or visit: www.mosaicnationalparks.org.uk

 Notes to editors

1.  Mosaic is a national project that aims to build sustainable links between young people, as well as ethnic minorities, and the National Parks. It is a partnership between the Campaign for National Parks, the Youth Hostels Association and the 9 organisations that run the National Parks in England: the Broads Authority, Dartmoor National Park Authority (NPA), Exmoor NPA, Lake District NPA, New Forest NPA, North York Moors NPA, Northumberland NPA, Peak District NPA and the Yorkshire Dales NPA.  Mosaic is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature as a part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme. Access to Nature has provided £932,314 toward this £1.7 million project, with match funding from Nationwide Building Society, Defra and the partners themselves.

2.   The Youth Hostels Association runs 222 accommodation sites across England and Wales, 87 of which are in a National Park, and provides over 2 million overnight stays for members and guests each year.

Location: Exmoor
permalink

To read the full speech, please follow this link:

www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/who/ministers/speeches/irranca-davies/hid090729.htm

Location: Yorkshire Dales
permalink

Eight young people from a variety of backgrounds based in Plymouth and Exeter have just returned home after experiencing the wilderness of Dartmoor in their roles as Mosaic Young Champions.  The event was organised by Mosaic (1) in partnership with Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) and the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) (2).

The aim was to introduce the young people to Dartmoor through a range of activities and encourage them to think about how they can repeat the experience for themselves and their peer group. 

Orlando Rutter, DNPA Principal Learning and Outreach Officer, led the first session of the weekend with a series of games starting inside Okehampton Youth Hostel and gradually moving outside to explore the surroundings. He encouraged the young people to rely on their partners to guide them around an assault course - blindfolded! 

The weekend began with a range of activities including mountain bike riding and gorge scrambling – which the group tackled with much enthusiasm and proved popular despite the freezing water temperature. 

The afternoon session consisted of a Conservation Challenge led by Park Rangers where the group learnt about the different ways that DNPA help to look after the National Park.  The group then got stuck in and helped maintain a footpath by clearing over 200 meters of ditches.  Johnny and Chris of Plymouth Environmental Action (PEA) led the session and gave a health and safety talk about how to use the tools. 

Navigational skills were put to the test with an orienteering session led by YHA staff and Alister from Link up, Devon.  The weather continued to be favourable enabling a barbeque that must have been good, as one the young people who shall remain nameless went back for a further 4 helpings!  The evening ended with Paul from the Foyer in Exeter using his military training experience to show the group how to build a campfire using traditional materials.  Everyone also had the opportunity to sample the culinary delights of baked bananas and toasted marshmallows.

The following day saw the group word storming and refining their ideas for planning future visits.  Applications were made to earn a John Muir award (3) and gain credits for the V scheme.

The final challenge was a foraging session led by Tom from the X Centre in Exeter who used his knowledge to step in as head chef to prepare a delicious lunch of nettle soup with fresh blackberries for pudding. 

David Rolls, Mosaic Project Officer, highlighted: ‘The enthusiasm of the young people was awe inspiring; they just thrived in this environment. It augurs well for the future as they share their experiences in their home communities. It is so positive to see the work of Mosaic developing in this way’

Ali, one of the young people from the Open Space group, captured the thoughts of many by saying “I really enjoyed the last weekend and will never forget it. It was absolutely fantastic.”

Mosaic is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature (3) as a part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme.

For more information and photos please contact:

Mosaic Programme Manager, Nina Arwitz: 020 7924 4077 ext. 227.

Mosaic Project Officer, David Rolls: 07935 099 462

Or visit: www.mosaicnationalparks.org.uk

Notes to editors

1.     Mosaic is a national project that aims to build sustainable links between young people, as well as ethnic minorities, and the National Parks. It is a partnership between the Campaign for National Parks, the Youth Hostels Association and the 9 organisations that run the National Parks in England: the Broads Authority, Dartmoor National Park Authority (NPA), Exmoor NPA, Lake District NPA, New Forest NPA, North York Moors NPA, Northumberland NPA, Peak District NPA and the Yorkshire Dales NPA.  Access to Nature has provided £932,314 toward this £1.7 million project, with match funding from Nationwide Building Society, Defra and the partners themselves.

2.     The Youth Hostels Association runs 222 accommodation sites across England and Wales, 87 of which are in a National Park, and provides over 2 million overnight stays for members and guests each year.

3.     The John Muir Award has 4 elements – discover, explore, conserve and share.  Find out more at www.johnmuiraward.org

4.     Access to Nature is run by Natural England and is part of The Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme launched in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments. Natural England manages this £25 million Lottery-funded programme on behalf of a consortium of twelve national environmental organisations comprising BTCV, British Waterways, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Greenspace, Groundwork UK, Land Restoration Trust, The National Trust, Natural England, RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts and the Woodland Trust. Through this programme, it is Natural England’s ambition to create opportunities for people from all backgrounds to have greater access to our natural environment and bring a lasting change to their awareness and understanding as well as improved links to the natural world, which many of us can take for granted. For further information about Access to Nature visit www.naturalengland.org.uk/accesstonature. For further information about the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.

Location: Okehampton YHA
permalink

PRESS RELEASE

 18 September 2009

 CAMPAIGN FOR NATIONAL PARKS SHORT-LISTED FOR “SMALL CHARITY, BIG ACHIEVER” AWARD 

The Campaign for National Parks (1) is delighted to have been short-listed for the Third Sector Excellence Awards (2) in the “Small Charity, Big Achiever” category.  The Awards aim to reward examples of outstanding campaigns, strategies, projects and performance, backed up by hard evidence of success.  

CNP has been short-listed for its work with Mosaic (3), a ground breaking national project that engages ethnic minority communities with the National Parks.  Mosaic provides training to enable local people to promote the National Parks in their communities, organise visits to National Parks and establish cultural events and other activities to stimulate an interest in the natural environment.  Mosaic has been developed by CNP over the last 8 years and is recognised as a model for delivering long-term and sustainable engagement.

60 years after the Act of Parliament that created the National Parks for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, it is important that all people in Britain know about the National Parks and what they offer and have an equal opportunity to choose to enjoy them.  Mosaic helps to make sure that the widest possible cross-section of the British public cares about the National Parks and ensure their future protection.  

CNP Chief Executive Kathy Moore says:

“As a small charity working to protect and promote the National Parks, we are very proud to be delivering a successful national project like Mosaic, working with ethnic minority community leaders across England and delivering real changes on the ground.” 

Ben Fogle, President of the Campaign for National Parks, explains why he supports the project:
 

“Going to the countryside inspired me when I was a child, and led me to pursue the adventures I enjoy now as an adult.  Mosaic is a fantastic project that works to make sure that everyone has that opportunity to experience and be amazed by the most spectacular landscapes in our country."          

Huw Irranca-Davies, Natural Environment Minister, says: 

“The work being done by the Campaign for National Parks and community groups through Mosaic is not only breaking down barriers, but is also forging lasting links so that more people from minority communities and under-represented groups are attracted to our National Parks and can enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world.” 

For further information, please contact:

Sally Parekh: 020 7924 4077 ext. 226.

Third Sector Excellence Awards, Alessandra Zorzato: 020 8267 4161 

Notes to editors

1.     The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) is the national charity that campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all.

2.     The Third Sector Excellence Award winners will be announced on Thursday 24 September 2009, at The Ballroom in Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London W1. Attendance is by invitation only; please contact Alessandra Zorzato on 020 8267 4161 for more information.

3.     Mosaic is a partnership between CNP, the Youth Hostels Association and the 9 organisations that help look after the National Parks in England: the Broads Authority, Dartmoor National Park Authority (NPA), Exmoor NPA, Lake District NPA, New Forest NPA, North York Moors NPA, Northumberland NPA, Peak District NPA and the Yorkshire Dales NPA.  The project 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 (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and the partners themselves.

Location: London
permalink

permalink

To read an article on the British Mountaineering Council website, follow this link:

www.thebmc.co.uk/News.aspx

Location: BMC
permalink

To read an article on The Telegraph website, follow this link:

www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/twitter/5925155/Twitter-updates-encourage-young-people-to-visit-National-Parks.html

Location: The Telegraph
permalink

Press Release

STRONGER LINKS BETWEEN ETHNIC MINORITY COMMUNITIES AND NATIONAL PARKS

Ben Fogle, President of the Campaign for National Parks (1), joins us in celebrating the start of Mosaic (2), a three-year national project which will engage ethnic minority communities with the National Parks.  Mosaic will develop Community Champions for National Parks within black and ethnic minority groups in 20 cities across England.  Mosaic will provide training to enable local Champions to promote the National Parks in their communities, organise visits to National Parks and establish cultural events and other activities to stimulate an interest in the natural environment.

The project – which is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature (3) as a part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme – will provide Champions with a range of new skills including in leading walks, map reading, fundraising, working with the media and campaigning.  This will help to ensure that the knowledge and experiences that they gain will continue to be shared once the project has ended.

The project will also focus on the organisations which run the 9 National Parks in England, who have committed to taking a major step forward in their attempts to reach a broader audience – for example by promoting National Parks in urban and cultural centres and helping their staff to become more aware of particular ethnic minority needs.  Accommodation provider the Youth Hostels Association (4) will also be a key project partner, and is committed to giving visitors from ethnic minorities a warm welcome at its extensive network of hostels within the National Parks.

The Mosaic project will be hosted by the Campaign for National Parks, which has 8 years’ experience working on the ground to engage ethnic minority communities with the National Parks.  CNP will build on its previous experience and its network of over 200 influential leaders of local ethnic minority communities who are already promoting actively the National Parks in their communities.

CNP’s President Ben Fogle welcomes the Mosaic project:

“Going to the countryside inspired me when I was a child, and led me to pursue the adventures I enjoy now as an adult. Mosaic is a fantastic project that works to make sure that everyone has that opportunity to experience and be amazed by the most spectacular landscapes in our country."

Huw Irranca-Davies, Natural Environment Minister, said:

“Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and to get close to nature. Green spaces are good for our health and well-being.

“The work being done by the Campaign for National Parks and community groups through Mosaic is not only breaking down barriers, but is also forging lasting links so that more people from minority communities and under-represented groups are attracted to our National Parks and can enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world.

“Projects like Mosaic help create social cohesion within communities nationwide and the government wholeheartedly supports the work they do.”

Nurjahan Ali Arobi, a member of the Bradford community, spoke of her personal experience as a Mosaic Community Champion:

“Mosaic gives me the skills and confidence to promote the Yorkshire Dales and help my community to access the National Park.  Before we would not have been aware of what was available there in terms of facilities, let alone the sheer natural beauty and that it was a place for us all to enjoy."

This year is the 60th anniversary of the 1949 Act of Parliament which enabled the creation of the National Parks for public benefit and the enjoyment of all.  Sixty years after the Act was passed, CNP wants to ensure that the National Parks remain relevant to all people in contemporary 21st century Britain.

Mosaic will be launched at the Dales Countryside Museum at Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park at 11:30am on Wednesday 29th July (5). Speakers will include Huw Irranca-Davies MP, the Government Minister responsible for National Parks, CNP President Ben Fogle and Mosaic Community Champion Nurjahan Ali Arobi.

For further information, please contact:

Mosaic Programme Manager Nina Arwitz: 020 7924 4077 ext. 227.

Natural England Press Office: 0845 603 9953.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888.

Notes to editors

1.     The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) is the national charity that campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all.

2.     Mosaic is a partnership between CNP, the Youth Hostels Association and the 9 organisations that run the National Parks in England: the Broads Authority, Dartmoor National Park Authority (NPA), Exmoor NPA, Lake District NPA, New Forest NPA, North York Moors NPA, Northumberland NPA, Peak District NPA and the Yorkshire Dales NPA.  Access to Nature has provided £932,314 toward this £1.7 million project, with match funding from Nationwide Building Society and the partners themselves.

3.    Access to Nature is run by Natural England and is part of The Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme launched in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments. Natural England manages this £25 million Lottery-funded programme on behalf of a consortium of twelve national environmental organisations comprising BTCV, British Waterways, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Greenspace, Groundwork UK, Land Restoration Trust, The National Trust, Natural England, RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts and the Woodland Trust. Through this programme, it is Natural England’s ambition to create opportunities for people from all backgrounds to have greater access to our natural environment and bring a lasting change to their awareness and understanding as well as improved links to the natural world, which many of us can take for granted. For further information about Access to Nature visit www.naturalengland.org.uk/accesstonature. For further information about the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.

4.       The Youth Hostels Association runs 222 accommodation sites across England and Wales, 87 of which are in a National Park, and provides over 2 million overnight stays for members and guests each year.

Location: Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes
permalink

To read an article on the Grough website, follow this link:

www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2009/07/29/fogle-helps-launch-ethnic-minority-national-park-scheme

Location: Grough
permalink

To read an article in the Yorkshire Post, follow this link:

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/features/From-Antarctic-tales-to-the.5495064.jp

Location: Yorkshire Post
permalink

Follow this link to find out more about a visit made by young people to Dartmoor:

www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/au_mosaicppnr0709

Location: Dartmoor
permalink

To hear an interview on BBC Radio Cumbria about the project with Kabeer Bostan (Mosaic Project Officer), follow this link:

www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/realmedia/2009/07/national_parks_clip_july09.ram

permalink

Follow this link to read an article about the Mosaic project in The Times by Sathnam Sangera:

women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article6503294.ece

permalink