Today we've launched a new Fund for outdoor educational experiences for Hardly Reached communities.
Image Credit Leigh Rose
A paper published by Wildlife and Countryside Link mapping the access to nature of neighbourhoods in the UK shows that more than one in three people live further than a 15 minute walk from nature, with those from ethnically diverse neighbourhoods having to travel 73% further than others to explore. (Wildlife and Countryside Link, 2023) Coupled with continued experiences of rural racism, many, notably members of the Global Majority, face persistent barriers to experiencing adventure. (Morris, 2023)
With so many people experiencing barriers to nature then, it isn’t a surprise the UK ranks lowest in the 14 European countries surveyed in 2022 for nature connectedness and biodiversity. A stark reality in a world where the climate crisis rages on, and overall wellbeing continues to provide challenges for many.
Through funding realised from The North Face x EOCA and Hydroflask Parks for All Foundation, Trash Free Trails has been applying a solution-focused approach while collaborating with our network of Community Hubs to break down barriers to participation within, what we're calling, Hardly Reached Communities.
This past year, TFT has been working with organisations such as Pedal Progression to bring community groups into the outdoors that have previously not had access to do so. Through our project, Pedal Progression were able to bring a group of young people from the city centre of Bristol to the mountain bike trails in Ashton Court, using bikes and the removal of single-use pollution as a vehicle for nature connection and wider environmental action.
Image Credit Abbie Merritt | Amy Warren
Ollie Cain from Pedal Progression reflects on introducing young people to mountain bike sessions. “It might not connect now, and it might take until they’re 25, but they’ll look back on these sessions and remember the guy from Ashton Court that taught them about nature connection, the switch will flip, that’ll be it. Finally, they’ll get it. It’s about planting the seed and providing the opportunity for them to engage.”
Through launching the Purposeful Adventure Fund, Trash Free Trails’ mission to (re)connect people with nature can continue for those from Hardly Reached backgrounds. The fund will be available for organisations to break down barriers to participation and continue the sustainability of the programmes that have taken place this year.
The Purposeful Adventure Fund is now open for applications from community groups and for donations. It doesn’t matter how ‘big’ or ‘small’ your community group or donation is, everyone is welcomed.
Further Reading
Ambio (2022), ‘Country-level factors in a failing relationship with nature: Nature connectedness as a key metric for a sustainable future’, Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13280-022-01744-w
Kings College London (2023), ‘Cost-of-living crisis is worsening the mental health of most vulnerable’, Source: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/cost-of-living-crisis-is-worsening-the-mental-health-of-most-vulnerable
Morris, Natalie, (2023), ‘Black and Brown Hikers take back Britain’s Countryside’, The Lead, Source: https://thelead.uk/black-and-brown-hikers-are-taking-back-britains-countryside
UK Government, ‘Adults’ People and Nature Survey (2024)’, Source:
Wildlife and Countryside Link, ‘Mapping access to nature in England (2023)’ Source:
Wildlife Trusts, (2024), ‘100 Days of Labour - Time to act for Nature’, Source: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/david-allwright/100-days-labour-time-act-nature
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