Peak District Mosaic has secured £557,955 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver its Championing National Parks for Everyone project - helping more people to explore, enjoy and understand the countryside and nature.
The initiative aims to raise awareness of, and improve accessibility to, three national parks – the Peak District, North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales – among ethnically and culturally diverse communities.
Peak District Mosaic is partnering with the three national park authorities to train community champions, support people to visit the parks independently and to consider jobs in the environmental sector.
The Peak District National Park Foundation has also contributed £11,341 as part of match-funding to the project.
The Peak District National Park Authority’s Engagement Team will provide line management support as an in-kind contribution and Derbyshire Dales Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) is supporting Mosaic’s charity development.
Championing National Parks for Everyone will build on a long-term partnership between the Peak District National Park Authority and Peak District Mosaic to support diverse communities to experience the countryside. There has been collaboration on a number of projects, including delivery of Peak Wise Community Champion training in 2017 and 2021.
The project will include outreach events, monthly activity programmes in each of the national parks, community champion training, champion-led events and further training in outdoor skills. It will also develop a legacy plan focused on Community Champion network support.