Children to enjoy South Downs National Park thanks to grant

The 'Discover The Downs' initiative will enable children who lack easy access to national parks to experience the great outdoors.

Schools across Hampshire and Sussex, with more than 30 per cent of pupils eligible for pupil premium funding, are invited to apply for fully-funded visits to the national park.

The activities will include "discovery days" to help children connect with nature, learning about conservation, bushcraft, wild art, and natural sciences.

The initiative, funded by Defra, builds on the success of the Generation Green project, which connected more than 100,000 young people across the UK with nature and the environment.

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Outdoor learning specialist Gina Mitchell will help deliver the intiative (Image: South Downs National Park) To find out more about Discover the Downs, visit southdowns.gov.uk/learning-and-youth-volunteering/schools-groups/discover-the-south-downs.

Outdoor learning specialist Gina Mitchell will help deliver 'Discover the Down' for the National Park Authority.

Gina said: "As the school term begins, we’re incredibly excited to be starting this initiative to help children discover the South Downs, many of whom will be visiting this amazing landscape for the very first time.

"We’re keen for schools to apply as soon as possible as there’s a limited time window for this funding to be spent and there’s also limited availability, so do not delay your application.

"We want to work with teachers to develop action-packed school trips or residential stays that give children the most rewarding experiences and complement their current studies."

The national park has also partnered with The Sustainability Centre, near Petersfield, and Goodwood Education Trust, near Chichester, to provide residential stays and farm visits.

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Children will be able to enjoy the South Downs (Image: Rich Howorth)Research shows that connecting with nature and learning outdoors can benefit children’s mental and physical health, including brain development, increasing attainment, supporting social skills, and reducing anxiety.

Amanda Elmes, learning, outreach, and volunteer lead for the national park, said: "Children are the future custodians of everything around us, including precious wildlife and the countryside, and it’s so important that each and every one of them can experience a national park.

"The sad truth is that not all children have access to green space and that’s why initiatives like this are so vital.

"Being curious about the natural world is a life-long skill that all children should have the opportunity to develop."