We recruited 68 ‘Community Champions’, volunteers who have a growing passion for Wales’ stunning countryside and who wanted to get to know it better and share that passion with others.
Community Champions in Wales
We recruited adults from across Wales, some of whom had never visited a National Park or even know what a National Park was, but all had a keen interest in the natural environment and the outdoors.
Some of the activities the Community Champions organised included a weekend away for people with learning difficulties in Bannau Brycheiniog, staying at a youth hostel and trying out different activities as well as just enjoying the fantastic scenery, peace and quiet.
Community Champions also worked with National Park Authority staff and volunteers to provide feedback and assist the Authorities in becoming more accessible to ethnic minority communities. They promoted the Parks to others in their community through organising visits and educating others on access. During the project, we provided full training which was tailored to each individual champion. Many Community Champions have gone on to form groups which they use to support each other to continue their work as volunteers.
Case Studies from Community Champions in Wales
Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park
Homan Youssofi ‘National Parks are good for the soul…’
Sha Siddiqi ‘National Parks are open for everyone to have wonderful experiences in and be out in the fresh air. There is no charge!’
Dawn Archibald ‘I’ve since started taking swimming lessons’
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park
Fateha Ahmed ‘My son has been telling his school they should arrange trips to the National Park, rather than the usual suspects for school trips.’
Zobia Zaman ‘I’ve realised how important it is to give my kids rural experiences.’
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Aliya Khalil ‘National Parks give you a healthy lifestyle’
Clayton Georges ‘All of this should be shared by current and future generations alike’
Stella Djokey ‘I’ve always been scared of water, but I felt I needed to challenge myself. I went Kayaking. I did it!’
‘National Parks for Health’ Article from CPRW’s ‘Rural Wales’ Magazine, Spring 2014
We partnered with the Brecon Beacons, the Pembrokeshire Coast and the Snowdonia National Park Authorities and the YHA to deliver Mosaic in Wales.
