PUPILS from a school in Runcorn were lucky enough to be part of a new ‘ground-breaking’ £2.5million project, helping young people from deprived areas to enjoy and connect with nature.

The selected students from Sandymoor Ormiston Academy enjoyed an adventure to the beautiful historic suburbs of Castleton, as part of the Generation Green project, where they took part in several nature related activities while getting to explore the outdoors.

The experience, named ‘Connecting to Nature Residential’, is hosted by the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) and involves team challenges, habitat studies, fire lighting, shelter building and much more.

With a goal to open young people’s eyes to the benefits and effects of spending time outdoors.

The pupils from the Wharford Lane academy stayed over at YHA Castleton hostel and spent the evening around a campfire, toasting marshmallows and singing songs.

So far more than 115,000 children and young people have benefited from Generation Green’s funded programs since the birth of the project just over a year ago.

Its partners include YHA (England & Wales), Girlguiding, Scouts, Field Studies Council, The Outward-Bound Trust and the 10 National Parks.

The project was inspired by the Government’s Landscapes Review in 2019, which highlighted the inequality of access to the outdoors and green spaces.

But the pandemic further echoed a need for such a thing, with figures showing an estimated 1.1 million children in England to be living through lockdown without a garden.

Access Unlimited Founder and Generation Green Sponsor, Anita Kerwin-Nye said: “Together we have made great strides in 16 months, but this should be the start and not the end.

“Through the delivery of Generation Green, we have developed a tried and tested, and successful model to connect children and young people with nature.

“At a time of limited resource this is a model of where charity collaboration rather than competition increases impact. The reach, outputs and outcomes speak for themselves.”

The 16-month project was funded by the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund from Defra and Heritage Lottery Fund and aimed to inspire young people to connect with nature, create and save jobs, and build an aspirant workforce for green recovery.

As the curtains now draw on Generation Green, its project partners are asking the government for further funding to ensure even more children can experience the outdoors through these successful programmes.

Anita added: “Together we have made great strides in 16 months, but this should be the start and not the end.

“Through the delivery of Generation Green, we have developed a tried and tested, and successful model to connect children and young people with nature.

“At a time of limited resource this is a model of where charity collaboration rather than competition increases impact. The reach, outputs and outcomes speak for themselves.”