I met Jo Barnett, CEO of The Institute of Outdoor Learning this week, who discussed with me UK Youth's aims and the importance of outdoor learning and activity for our youth.
UK Youth runs their own Outdoor Centre at Avon Tyrrell, as well as support the youth sector as a whole. They work in collaboration with the Back Youth Alliance, which is a network of youth organisations such as Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh Award and Sea Cadets).
This year, as part of the partnership UK Youth had with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, £600,000 Adventures Away from Home Fund allowed for 45 outdoor learning providers to work with 3500 disadvantaged young people in England within a few months.
UK Youth defines outdoor learning as experiential learning within an outdoor environment to support a young person's personal, social and educational development, improve health and wellbeing, physical literacy and develop environmental awareness.
UK Youth use this approach;
Experience - independence and enjoyable fun in a safe environment.
Learn - about ourselves, others and the natural environment.
Develop - essential life and educational skills.
As your local MP, I really encourage outdoor activity for the youth, especially SEND youth. That is why I frequently see the local football teams often, such as the Charity Match last month with Uxbridge FC and Brunel University, and I attended a SEND football session at Wealdstone FC.
I also am committed to the protection of our green spaces, and I back UK Youth's idea that it does not necessarily need to be mountains or national parks, but it can be a local park or green space - something that we have an abundance of in Uxbridge and South Ruislip!
As a frequent visitor to the local schools and Brunel University, I will endeavour to always encourage outdoor sport to the youth. Especially at a time where the access to technology has largely increased, it is so important for our youth to get out there and enjoy outdoor activity. This was a topic that also got brought up in my visit to Hillingdon Youth Council's event whereby the students and I discussed how what factors can help youth mental health - and outdoor activity was definitely a main factor.