A group of school and youth residential outdoor providers and organisations have called for emergency action, saying that ‘every young person deserves residential stays in nature, not just the fortunate few.’
The group, Access Unlimited, has written an open letter to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asking that his government take action and dedicate emergency funding to avert an access crisis for young people.
Together, the Access Unlimited partners – YHA (England & Wales), Scouts, Girlguiding, National Parks England, The Outward Bound Trust, Field Studies Council, and National Landscapes Association – bring hundreds of years of collective experience in engaging young people with the outdoors and inspiring the next generation of environmental champions.
The letter follows the ending of Generation Green 2, a 12-month project funded by Defra and delivered by Access Unlimited, which saw nearly 27,000 young people benefit from a fully funded-experience in nature. The majority (80%) of these young people were from areas of deprivation and for many, it was the first time they had ever left their home area.
With no future funding allocated or further programmes in place to replace Generation Green or National Citizen Service, CEOs from Access Unlimited have called a crisis and written to the Prime Minister urging him to save a generation.
James Blake, Chair of Access Unlimited and CEO of YHA (England & Wales) said: “The headway we have made collectively through Generation Green must continue through further funding. Through the turbulence of recent years, we have learned anew the power of nurturing confidence and connection in an uncertain world. The aim of the Access Unlimited partners remains unchanged – a desire to see every child have a night under the stars in a green space.”
Backed by an independent review of Generation Green 2 by the University of Derby, and findings from The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature published yesterday (15 September), Access Unlimited has asked Sir Kier Starmer to ensure the following:
- Funding for programmes which actively provide high-quality, inclusive outdoor residential learning, directly reaching those from marginalised and disadvantaged communities.
- Policy integration across departments – including outdoor learning as essential elements of education, health, youth, and environment strategies.
- Curriculum inclusion of outdoor learning and residentials in a protected landscape as vital components of every child’s primary and secondary education.
Within the APPG report, MPS advocate that there should be ‘a requirement for all children and young people to experience at least one residential outdoor experience, linked to curriculum outcomes at KS2, using Pupil Premium to ensure inclusion for all.’
The report, which gathered views from over 750 organisations and individuals, including members of Access Unlimited, highlights that much of England’s countryside remains inaccessible, with 20 million people not living within 15 minutes of green or blue spaces.
The APPG also acknowledges the substantial economic contribution of the outdoor sector – a £25bn+ industry supporting over 500,000 jobs.
Within the open letter, Access Unlimited tells Kier Starmer that “Nature is not a luxury. It is a necessity – for childhood, for community, and for the climate. We are asking you to protect and extend an opportunity that has already proven itself.”
Read the Open Letter from Access Unlimited CEOs to Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer here.
