Diversity, Access, Learning, Environment, Sustainability
People and the DALES is a pioneering project that was launched in 2009 to give disadvantaged and disabled groups of people the opportunity to visit the southern Yorkshire Dales countryside. They take part in activities, enjoy the magnificent landscape and learn new skills.
The project, which is managed by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, aims to engage people from hard-to-reach groups in fun, active, thought-provoking activities which will help them to learn about the natural environment, gain new experiences and forge new friendships.
The groups we work with are from nearby urban areas of Leeds, Bradford and East Yorkshire and include disabled people, young people from inner cities, ethnic minority communities, individuals from deprived locations and people with mental health difficulties.
Groups enjoy being involved in:
- Day visits – such as nature walks, environmental activities, kite flying, and lambing
- Conservation work – dry stone walling, path laying, and woodland management
- Residentials – for those that would benefit from a night away from home
People and the DALES aims to inspire groups to continue taking part in outdoor activities back home. We also encourage people to return to the Dales under their own steam, by providing training for key members of community groups on how to organise their own future visits, and building better links between rural and urban community groups.
How we work
People and the Dales is run by three dedicated members of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust team. The team includes Judy Rogers and Gail Smith, our Project Community Workers, and Dave Tayler the Project Manager.
Group activities are supported by the provision of outdoor clothing and help towards transport or residential costs, thanks to a grant of £198,000 from the Big Lottery Fund ‘Access to Nature’ programme, administered by Natural England.
The project also benefits from a Partnership Steering Group which helps to oversee the project and includes staff from Natural England, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Field Studies Council at Malham Tarn and Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
YDMT recently contributed to a special paper produced by Natural England through the Access to Nature grant programme. The paper highlights People and the Dales as one of the main national projects helping to increase participation in the natural environment by minority ethnic communities. You can read the paper here Minority Ethnic Communities and the Natural Environment.
What we’ve achieved
In the last year alone People and the Dales has helped:
- 126 young people experience the natural environment and take part in conservation activities in the Dales. Some of these activities have included: kite flying sessions, learning about crayfish conservation and gardening at an organic nursery.
- 393 people from minority ethnic communities to visit the Dales. For many of these people a visit through People and the DALES is their first experience of the English countryside. Many of the groups we work with are refugee and asylum seeker support groups, individuals who often lead very difficult lives.
“Getting out of the city….was exciting. The fresh air made me feel alive”
- 114 disabled and/or elderly people benefit from days out in the Dales. This has included a Parkinson’s disease support group from Blackburn who took part in a kite making workshop, sensory walks through bluebell woods and visits to various Dale’s locations.
- 54 people from mental health user groups to enjoy wildflower walks, cave visits and conservation tasks.
“Walking in the Dales fresh air lifted my spirits”
- 138 people from a range of urban based groups to experience the natural world through a range of activities - like dry stone walling, lambing and nature walks. We’ve worked with homeless groups living in supported housing, groups of carers and parents from urban based schools and children’s centres.
Find out more
If you’re part of a community group and want to find out more about taking part in People and the DALES activities contact us.
Read the latest People and the DALES Newsletter - Spring 2012.