Scores of young people to benefit from new funding

October 12, 2021

An exciting new funding scheme is giving young people from across the region the chance to experience the great outdoors and get up close to our amazing natural world.

Thirteen grants have been awarded to a diverse range of youth organisations as part of the National Park’s new South Downs Youth Action Fund.

The young people will be taking part in activities leading to positive social and environmental action in some beautiful locations in the National Park.

The grants will enable:

50 young people with complex needs including ADHD, Autism, ODD, and global learning delay to gets hands-on in the management of heathland near East Clayton Farm, West Sussex.
20 young people to litter pick by bike with Sylvia Beaufoy Youth Centre at Petworth, West Sussex.
16 young archaeologists to learn about the heritage of the National Park at Butser Ancient Farm In Hampshire, with help from the Brighton Young Archaeologists’ Club.
10 young refugees and asylum seekers to participate in a South Downs discovery project with the Rural Refugee Network.
2,000 young people in Lewes to help take action to help the environment in their local area through the Green United
10 girls with mental health challenges to take part in a “Space to Breathe” summer camp
10 young people to develop heritage skills at the Weald and Downland Museum, near Chichester, West Sussex.
Eight young people with learning disabilities and ASD to create “great outdoor” films that celebrate access for all.
Young farmers from Lewes, Ringmer and Pulborough to build owl boxes and enjoy making art inspired by the landscape.
Young people who are vulnerable and have poor mental health to take part in conservation and wellbeing activities with Impact Initiatives.
12 young people to enjoy practical conservation activities at the Railway Land Wildlife Trust, in Lewes.

The grants have been made possible thanks to funding from the South Downs National Park Trust, the official independent charity of the National Park, the Clarion Futures charity and the #iwillfund, an England-wide scheme supported by the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport and the National Lottery Community Fund.

Amanda Elmes, who leads learning, outreach and volunteering in the National Park, said: “This new fund is specifically designed to support youth-led projects that make a positive contribution to environmental and social action in the South Downs.

“Many of the young people involved in these projects may not have been to a National Park before or got to enjoy its beauty, wildlife and heritage. So we’re excited to be able to award these grants and hope they will provide some really inspiring experiences for young people.

“Young people are the future custodians of this precious landscape and that’s why these kind of initiatives are so worthwhile.”

A second tranche of funding for youth projects across the region will be announced this autumn.