Teenagers, some of who have never been to a national park, have spoken about the mental health benefits they have experienced after visiting the South Downs.
Young people from across the South East have been taking part in action-packed clubs in the South Downs National Park that involve getting closer to nature.
They have taken part in wildlife walks at Seven Sisters Country Park and photography and sound recording sessions at Friston Forest as well as river paddleboarding.
The initiative has been led by a partnership of Make (Good) Trouble, East Sussex County Council and the South Downs National Park Trust.
Make (Good) Trouble focuses on helping young people with their emotional wellbeing and encouraging teenagers to “think outside the box” to develop lifelong skills.
Many of the teenagers taking part in the initiative had never explored a national park before and several had experienced social isolation and mental health challenges during the pandemic.
One said: “Lockdown was very boring – I didn’t really have anyone to talk to. This is a break from normal life and it’s good fun. You stop worrying about things that you normally worry about and you’re able to just enjoy yourself.”
Another said: “I look forward to coming here every morning, even if it means getting up early.”
A parent of the one of the participants said: “Looking after a young person whose home life has been traumatic, this has been an absolute lifeline for them and for me.”
Jane Keating, from Make (Good) Trouble, said: “We’ve been able to give the young people such a wide variety of opportunities and activities to experience and learn about nature and their environment.
“The photography session allowed them to capture their surroundings and share their experiences in a creative way. It gave them a break from their normal lives and it was incredible to see how much more curious, engaged and connected they were.”
Amanda Elmes, who leads learning and outreach in the South Downs National Park, said: “It’s been wonderful to work with these teenagers and see them blossom through this experience.
“Unfortunately, a significant proportion of young people are disconnected from the natural world around them and the pandemic has only exacerbated this.
“We’re really passionate at the national park about giving young people opportunities to get out into the South Downs, learn about nature and have fun – they might even come home with muddy shoes.
“We strongly believe that all children should have access to nature.”
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