20 years ago Lindley Educational Trust was very similar to lots of other long standing charities running outdoor centres. That was until the Trust’s team developed its vision for children and young people from the most disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds.
As we became more aware that local authorities, the voluntary and private sector were not engaging with the most difficult to reach we felt duty bound to change how we worked!
This was the start of Lindley’s approach to youth work and 20 years on we have two very active bases in Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester and Pitsmoor, Sheffield. Our youth and community model (on the surface at least) hasn’t been anything out of the ordinary but has been incredibly successful. We believe this is because the provision is based on a few key principles :
- Growing and developing the skills and confidence of local people, so that they can deliver activities and services. They have relevant lived experiences and can understand and embrace the diverse cultures and religions prevalent in their communities.
- Investing in young leaders, many of whom Lindley has worked with for several years. It is hard to over-state how remarkable and impactful they are as inspirational role models, helping children, young people and their wider community. It is no co-incidence that many of our paid and voluntary youth staff attended Lindley’s youth provision some years ago.
- A strong emphasis on getting to know and respect others. We find that using outdoor activities to bring children and young people together helps them forget their differences and become friends.
- A close interaction with the Trusts Hollowford Centre in Peak District. (A short travel time enables regular visits) It is great to see that the whole community from these disadvantaged backgrounds feel at home at Hollowford and describe it as their outdoor centre.
Amazing outcomes
This unusual approach has led directly to some far reaching outcomes:
- 100’s of people from BAME backgrounds gaining outdoor leadership & sports qualifications and actively using them to introduce their community to healthy activities and the great outdoors.
- Lindley is the only outdoor provider that we know of, with an equal amount of white and non-white staff.
- A love and passion for being outdoors developed by 1000’s of people who had never been to the countryside before they engaged with Lindley.
There is mounting evidence that getting out into the countryside is good for mental and physical health. One of our young leaders, Alishba, has developed a real passion for outdoor activities and recognises how being in the great outdoors can help. She says “When you’re walking and talking you do get rid of all these emotions that you’re bottling up or carrying with you. It feels very therapeutic.”
Challenging the prevailing evidence
The outcomes achieved by Lindley’s work in Ashton and Pitsmoor is in stark contrast to the finding of the UK government’s Landscapes Review. The review report describes that despite growing interest, it remains the case that financial, personal and cultural barriers mean the countryside is still off-limits to many families.
This report by Natural England into the country’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 2019 found that 18% of children living in the most deprived areas never visit the natural environment at all, and just 6-7% of children go on school trips to the countryside.[1]
If you’d like to know more about Lindley’s work or support us transforming the lives of children and young people with low aspiration and poor mental health, please contact us.
Mark Williams is Head of Centres for Lindley Educational Trust and has extensive experience of managing and delivering Outdoor Learning.
Mark was one of the authors of the Rank Foundation publication; Learning through the outdoor experience: a guide for schools and youth groups.
[1] Landscapes Review 2019, p68 and 69 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/833726/landscapes-review-final-report.pdf
