Young Champions in Exmoor call for more opportunities for young people to get into National Parks

Last week Mosaic Young Champions gathered in Exmoor for the final annual event of our three year project

During presentations they passionately spoke about there being more opportunities for young people to get involved in National Parks and let them help shape the future of the Parks. Ollie Barnett has been involved in the project in Exmoor since the beginning in 2013. Through Mosaic he started volunteering with the YHA and has now been offered a job with them in Swanage. He said:

“Mosaic has helped me build my confidence and meet so many awesome people. If it wasn’t for the project, I would never have got to the point in my life I am at now!”

Janette Ward, Campaign for National Parks Vice Chair who went to the event said: “Involving young people in our National Parks is one of the Campaign for National Park’s primary goals and the Mosaic project has made a significant impact in achieving this. Mosaic exists because we realised there were many young people who did not have the opportunity to visit National Parks and experience the wonders and benefits of these inspirational and wild landscapes.”

Dave Gurnett, Learning and Outreach for the Exmoor National Park Authority said: “The real special part of being with the Mosaic Young Champions is developing a sense of where they have come from and comparing it with where they are now; being bright, energetic and hugely supportive of National Parks. Some or their personal journeys are deeply moving and the presentations at Pinkery with their fellow Young Champions demonstrated huge individual growth in confidence and perception. It was a humbling privilege to listen and very motivating to keep working with those that just wouldn’t have the chance had it not been for Mosaic.”