New programme to connect young people with nature in the North Pennines

A new programme will inspire and connect young people with the nature and landscapes surrounding them in the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark.

Thanks to National Lottery players, the North Pennines AONB Partnership has received a £249,970 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for a new project to inspire children and young people about the world around them, connect them with nature and help improve their wellbeing.

The Expanding Horizons project will work with schools in selected areas that face particular challenges, to get the students out and about in the stunning landscapes of the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark, interacting with it, learning from it and enjoying it. There will be opportunities to connect with schools in other UNESCO Global Geoparks and share their special places. It will also involve a new programme of activities for pre-school children and their families and carers. The project also aims to make key locations more accessible to a wider range of people through developing high quality online information to help people visit with confidence, particularly young people with autism and their families.

Naomi Foster, Geology Projects Officer said: “We are excited to be building on our work with children and young people and we believe it’s important to be focusing on wellbeing at this time and the benefits that a connection to nature can bring. We’re also very much looking forward to working with organisations such as the North East Autism Society and Children North East and of course the young people themselves to help us develop and get the most from this project.”

School visits start after the Spring half term and the pre-school group begins at the North Pennines AONB Partnership’s Bowlees Visitor Centre in April. For more information about events and activities, visit the website at https://northpennines.org.uk

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Notes for editors

1. Contact Sarah Hudspeth, Communications Lead at the North Pennines AONB Partnership for further information – shudspeth@northpenninesaonb.org.uk, Phone: 07768 123247
2. Images from the North Pennines AONB Partnership’s engagement programmes are previewed below and can be downloaded here. For alternative images please contact Sarah on 01388 528801 or email shudspeth@northpenninesaonb.org.uk
3. The North Pennines is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. The purpose of this nationally recognised designation is the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the area.
4. At almost 2,000 sq. kilometres the North Pennines is the second largest of the 46 AONBs (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and is one of the most peaceful and unspoilt places in England. Visit www.landscapesforlife.org.uk for information about the AONB Family.
5. The North Pennines lies between the National Parks of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Northumberland with the urban centres of County Durham away to the east. Parts of the AONB are within the boundaries of five local authorities; the three counties of Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland, Carlisle City Council and Eden District Council.
6. The North Pennines AONB Partnership is an alliance of 24 public, statutory and voluntary sector bodies with an interest in the future of the AONB. The work of the Partnership is carried out by its Staff Unit which takes action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise awareness of its special qualities and to improve the quality of life for local people.
7. UNESCO Global Geopark – As well as being an AONB the North Pennines is a UNESCO Global Geopark. This puts the area’s Geopark status in the same UNESCO family as World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. UNESCO Global Geoparks are places with outstanding geology where special effort is made to make the most of geological heritage to support community and economy. Locally this includes producing geo-trails, developing projects with school and community groups, producing displays for visitor attractions and holding geology festivals and events.
8. About The National Lottery Heritage Fund – Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.
9. Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund