JULIA BRADBURY
YOU may recall a scary headline a few years ago that declared children spend less time outdoors than prison inmates. The survey also revealed that a fifth of children don’t play outside at all. Experts have warned this is having a significant impact on them.
Less outdoor play can lead to all sorts of issues in later life including obesity and lower mental wellbeing. I was lucky enough to grow up with the Peak District on my doorstep. I went to school in Sheffield and my Dad introduced me to my life-long friend, therapist and workout buddy – nature. We went for our first walk together when I was about seven, hiking across one of the nearby moors. I say hiking; Dad was doing all the hard work, pulling me alongside all 6ft 4in of him while I gawped at the gigantic landscapes. On one of those early adventures we trekked across the National Trust-owned Kinder Scout – the birthplace of rambling. These walks weren’t just bonding times
I will always treasure, they also led me to where I am today. The historical and cultural significance of places like Kinder highlight how important the Trust is to our nation.
By caring for these stunning vistas, the charity ensures their survival for everyone.
The last year has thrown into sharp focus the importance of green spaces and, while not everyone is lucky enough to grow up near the Peak District, the work the Trust is doing trying to bring nature into peoples’ homes and lives is both uplifting and vital.
Projects like Blossomwatch and 50 things to do before you’re 113/4 are brilliant ways of bridging the gap between city living and the great outdoors. I have worked with the National Trust for years through my own website, The Outdoor Guide. Originally created to field questions about my TV walks, it’s now an online space for people who want outdoor inspiration and walking routes.
The pandemic has affected everyone and children have lost out too. Being in nature and playing outdoors keep children fit, it teaches them about the natural world, enhances social skills and their ability to concentrate.
Thank goodness the Trust is here as a guardian for outdoor spaces. I feel so grateful I made those memories with my dad when I was a little girl, and forged a relationship with nature that has lasted a lifetime.