A FLAGSHIP project intended to encourage members of ethnic minority communities to visit their nearest national park has officially ended, but the scheme has been such a success that it will continue in the Yorkshire Dales.
Over the last seven years, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has encouraged people from inner city areas to visit the beautiful area on their doorsteps and become involved in promoting its huge variety of attractions to others in their comm
unities.
The £1m Mosaic Partnership, which was held in the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors, the Peak District and the Brecon Beacons National Parks, has now officially come to an end.
But the Dales National Park Authority is not stopping there. Outreach Officer Catherine Kemp said: "The Mosaic Project's main objective was to encourage inner city residents to enjoy the UK's national parks and it has certainly done that.
"It has been a huge success locally involving scores of people from ethnic minorities in Keighley, Bradford and other outside areas coming in to the National Park to go on walks or to look around the villages and the countryside.
"We have recruited community champions, who have spent time in the Yorkshire Dales learning about its beauty and its attractions before going back and organising trips here for others in their communities.
"In fact, it has been so successful that we have decided to carry on the work with the community champions in Bradford and Keighley in the future."
Challenges so far this year have included walking up Pen-y-ghent, visiting a geo-cache trail in Buckden and kite flying. More events will be planned next year.
Nurjuhan Ali Arobi, a member of the Bradford community, said: "Mosaic gave me the skills and confidence to promote the Yorkshire Dales and help my community 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." The Mosaic Partnership has resulted in more than 200 influential leaders of local ethnic minority communities now actively promoting the national parks.
Minister responsible for national parks Jonathan Shaw said: "I think the innovative approach to long-term engagement will be key to attracting minority communities. Active engagement like this within contemporary urban Britain should be held up as a fantastic example to others."
Anyone in a community group who would like help and advice about bringing groups into the Yorkshire Dales National Park, can contact Ms Kemp on 0800 166 6333 or catherine.kemp@
yorkshiredales.org.uk
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