Countrysideprojectwins widerrecognition

A SCHEME to encourage more people from ethnic minorities to explore the Peak District has been recognised nationally.

The Peak Wise People scheme was devised by the Peak District National Park’s learning team and is a course for ‘champions’ from minority communities to develop skills in leading outdoor activities, such as guided walks and visits to the park’s attractions.

Nine volunteers have completed a pilot course, held at the national park’s environmental learning centre Losehill Hall.

They have gone on to lead outdoor activities form more than 150 adults from minority communities in areas which have easy access to the park.

Many had never spent time in the countryside before, and one participant said: “I used to look at people walking in the countryside and think that’s not for me. Now I know it is.”

Another said: “It makes you feel good to be alive.”

Those on the ‘champions’ course were taught about the history of the district, farming and wildlife so they could use the knowledge to help their groups understand the area.

They have also continued to organise repeat events, often in response to demand.

Now the Peak Wise People scheme has been identified for use as a case-study in Transforming Lives, a report marking the end of the Government’s 20m Transformation Fund, which supported more than 300 projects including this.

Fiona Wallace, head of Losehill Hall, said: “This is a fantastic endorsement of the success of Peak Wise People. We piloted the course for the Mosaic project (run by the Campaign for National Parks), which aims to build links between ethnic minority communities and national parks. Now we are looking for opportunities for it to be rolled out elsewhere.”