An exciting new funding scheme is giving young people from across the region the chance to experience the great outdoors and get up close to our amazing natural world.
Thirteen grants have been awarded to a diverse range of youth organisations as part of the National Park’s new South Downs Youth Action Fund.
The young people will be taking part in activities leading to positive social and environmental action in some beautiful locations in the National Park.
The grants will enable:
- Fifty young people with complex needs including ADHD, Autism, ODD, and global learning delay to gets hands-on in the management of heathland near East Clayton Farm, West Sussex.
- Twenty young people to litter pick by bike with Sylvia Beaufoy Youth Centre at Petworth, West Sussex.
- Sixteen young archaeologists to learn about the heritage of the National Park at Butser Ancient Farm In Hampshire, with help from the Brighton Young Archaeologists’ Club.
- Ten young refugees and asylum seekers to participate in a South Downs discovery project with the Rural Refugee Network.
- Ten girls with mental health challenges to take part in a “Space to Breathe” summer camp
- Ten young people to develop heritage skills at the Weald and Downland Museum, near Chichester, West Sussex.
- Eight young people with learning disabilities and ASD to create “great outdoor” films that celebrate access for all.
- Young people who are vulnerable and have poor mental health to take part in conservation and well-being activities with Impact Initiatives.
- Twelve young people to enjoy practical conservation activities at the Railway Land Wildlife Trust, in Lewes.
The grants have been made possible thanks to funding from the South Downs National Park Trust, the official independent charity of the National Park, the Clarion Futures charity and the #iwillfund, an England-wide scheme supported by the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport and the National Lottery Community Fund.
Amanda Elmes pictured right, who leads learning, outreach and volunteering in the National Park, said: “Young people are the future custodians of this precious landscape and that’s why these kind of initiatives are so worthwhile.”
A second tranche of funding for youth projects across the region will be announced this autumn.