We are excited to have received a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and are now working on the Championing National Parks for Everyone project.
We are working with people from diverse communities living close to the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks to deliver the following aims;
- Increase the diversity of visitors to the National Parks through activities that develop skills, confidence and awareness of the benefits of National Parks
- Develop and deliver at a larger scale the Community Champion training programme to support diverse communities to visit the National Parks independently
- Create improved pathways for people from diverse communities to enter employment in the environment / outdoor sector
- Develop Peak District Mosaic as a larger, more sustainable and financially resilient organisation who can support Community Champions in the long term
- Improve the practice of the National Park Authorities in working with diverse communities
This project has been led by Peak District Mosaic and we are continuing to work closely with the Peak District National Park, North York Moors National Park and Yorkshire Dales National Park to run this scheme across the different parks and their nearby cities. Derbyshire Dales Council for Voluntary Service are also a project partner, working to help build capacity and infrastructure.
Community Champions
At the heart of the Championing National Parks for Everyone project is the Community Champion Training Programme. Throughout 2025, we have recruited, trained and supported a team of 90 Volunteer Community Champions across these three National Parks to support diverse communities to visit these green spaces independently.
The Community Champion training programme has created a new cohort of volunteers who can independently deliver safe, enjoyable and sustainable outdoor activities into the future. These activities include easy-going walks, longer hikes, cycling sessions, adventure days or visits to heritage sites in the National Parks; Community Champions have brought in their own interests and passions when planning sessions for their communities.
Ongoing Support
We are now continuing our work with with the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and Peak District National Parks to offer support, training and networking events for these Community Champions.
Championing National Parks for Everyone is made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. We are also grateful for funding from the Peak District National Park Authority; North York Moors National Park Authority; Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority; Peak District National Park Foundation; North York Moors Trust; and the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. We hope that the project will support more people from diverse communities to have the skills and resources to build a lifelong relationship with their National Parks.