Access Unlimited, representing organisations including YHA, Scouts and Girlguiding, warns that without immediate government intervention, millions of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds will be denied life-changing outdoor experiences.
The group references recent research showing that 38% of children have never been to the countryside, saying that ‘every young person deserves residential stays in nature, not just the fortunate few.’
Crisis in countryside access for children
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.
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 38% of young people taking part, it was their first visit to the countryside.
About Access Unlimited
The group is made up of YHA (England & Wales), Scouts, Girlguiding, National Parks England, The Outward Bound Trust, Field Studies Council, and National Landscapes Association. It has hundreds of years of collective experience in engaging young people with the outdoors and inspiring the next generation of environmental champions.
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.”
It coincides with the publication of findings from The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature which highlights that much of England’s countryside is still inaccessible with 20 million people not living within 15 minutes of green or blue spaces (an outdoor area featuring water).
The group wants the government to ‘establish 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.’
What Access Unlimited is calling for:
- 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.
The APPG report also says: “The Curriculum and Assessment Review and the new Enrichment Framework should recognise that teaching and learning in all education settings can take place beyond the classroom.
“Government guidance must make clear that teachers have the freedom to choose where learning happens and should encourage regular, high-quality outdoor experiences at every key stage.”
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.
