A celebration of People and the DALES

July 16, 2012

The initial phase of YDMT’s inspiring and ground-breaking project People and the DALES comes to an end this Summer. This month we celebrated the projects many achievements with some of the people who have helped to make it such as success.

Over the last three and a half years People and the DALES has given over 3000 people from disadvantaged and disabled groups the opportunity to visit the Yorkshire Dales countryside. The project has enabled these people to take part in all kinds of activities, enjoy the magnificent Dales landscape, learn new skills and forge new friendships. Some of them have never visited the countryside before. We hope that most of them will be inspired to return.

A People and the Dales lambing day with St Vincent’s Support Centre, Leeds

At the celebration event at Bradford 1 Gallery last week we heard several community group members recounting their most memorable People and the DALES moments. Some of them were very emotional, and there were tears shed! Sylvia Shatwell from Willow Young Carers Barnardo’s said: “I have been very touched emotionally by the project and have shared exhilarating moments with some incredible people through the People and the DALES training events. I am exceptionally privileged to have been involved in the project.”

Everyone who attended the event, or who has been involved in People and the DALES, has overwhelming support for the project and admiration for the YDMT team who have delivered it, Dave, Gail Judy. Natural England, who awarded £197,000 to the project in 2009 as part of its Access to Nature programme, is one of its biggest advocates, praising the project for exceeding all of its targets, surpassing expectations and being a joy to manage.

YDMT is doing everything it can to ensure the life-changing work of People and the DALES continues into the future.