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UK Youth has welcomed an Early Day Motion highlighting the importance of outdoor learning.
As a leader in outdoor learning youth work, UK Youth “enables young people to participate in high-quality outdoor learning experiences that deliver learning and personal development”. The national youth work charity recognises outdoor learning helps young people develop vital life skills, including communication, teamwork and resilience.
Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has now submitted an Early Day Motion urging the Government to recognise the “wellbeing benefits of outdoor education to young people”.
Early day motions are motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons.
Mr Farron’s motion says: “That this House recognises the significant benefits of outdoor learning for children and young people; urges the Secretary of State to undertake a review of the value of those benefits; notes that more time learning outdoors provides an opportunity for children to learn skills and characteristics to cope with many of the societal problems of climate change, worsening child mental health, and high child obesity levels; further notes there is significant evidence that outdoor learning and youth work enables better engagement with education, builds pro-environmental behaviours from a young age, and establishes team work and resilience in young people; and recognises that these practices build on a long heritage of outdoor learning in the UK.”
UK Youth operates its own outdoor learning venue in the New Forest, Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre; dedicated to providing young people the opportunity to experience, learn and develop through outdoor learning in a natural environment to improve their life skills.
It offers residential and day experiences for educational and youth organisations and families – with accommodation in a Grade I-listed Manor House, lodges or camping – featuring activities such as archery, bushcraft, canoeing, climbing, abseiling, high ropes, orienteering and mountain biking.
David Watts, UK Youth director of outdoor learning, said: “Avon Tyrrell supports equitable access for all young people and is proud to be a leader in the use of outdoor learning youth work to transform the lives of young people and communities. Young people sit at the heart of our work at Avon Tyrrell and our Experience, Learn and Develop framework ensures we support personal development on every visit, be it one of our popular educational visits or a family break or day out.
“We believe experiential outdoor learning gives young people the chance to develop socio emotional and life skills, including improved communication, motivation, teamwork and resilience, and building character.
“We are pleased this EDM references outdoor learning and youth work together, this is a good win for our influencing work in this area.”
About UK Youth
UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 9,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, see ukyouth.org
UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/our-programmes
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