Element Society, a non-profit youth development organisation, is working with the National Trust team at the Longshaw Estate to give young people at Talbot Specialist School learning experiences out of the classroom.

 

Dominic and Sarah collecting materials to build model minibeasts

Element has a longstanding relationship with Talbot School, having worked with them on specially-tailored NCS programmes in the past, as well as the Learning Through Nature programme which, until the start of the pandemic, saw trips to outdoor spaces like the Longshaw Estate for educational purposes take place on a weekly basis.

Chris Hill, CEO at Element Society is pleased that these trips are getting back up and running again;

Element has always been passionate about providing opportunities to all young people. The pupils at Talbot school are full of compassion, excitement and a desire to see more of the world. This is a chance to build their confidence by accessing areas of nature many of us take for granted.

If you think Element Society could work with your school or communtiy group to help young people get involved with nature and the outdoors more, please contact Chris at [email protected].

Sarah, a student from Talbot school, really enjoyed the trip.

Young people are becoming increasingly passionate about the environment and climate change, and giving young people the opportunity to tackle such a large issue without feeling powerless is something both the National Trust and Element Society are working to do.

Debbie Webster, Volunteering and Community Involvement Manager at Peak District National Trust said about the visit;

Today has been very much about reaching out to new communities, new groups of people who maybe haven't experienced nature, the countryside, National Trust, Longshaw right here on our doorstep before. We've been doing that by improving how we're engaging with the people and communities that best support them, such as Element Society.

If you are involved in a community group and would like to get involved with the National Trust, you can contact Debbie at [email protected].

 

Dominic and Sarah build model minibeasts after seeing the real things.

The Peak District countryside is a beautiful place where people live, work and play. For many, it has been the place we have turned to for escape, exercise, and satisfying our need for adventure, especially when limitations became a part of our lives. Giving all young people the opportunities to appreciate and value the outdoors is not only beneficial to them, but crucial to the long-term protection of places like The Peak District. As Sir David Attenborough says;

No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.

 

The group before and after exploring.

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Talbot Specialist School provides education for young people who have severe and complex learning difficulties; 

Our aim is that all our students make the best progress they possibly can, and for them to play a full and active part in the life of the school regardless of their ability. We have a large team of highly skilled and dedicated staff who work creatively with our students to deliver imaginative and exciting learning opportunities.

For more information:

• About covering this story - Matthew Brewer, Comms Lead, Element Society
• Element Society's work with Talbot School - Chris Hill, CEO, Element Society
• Young people's thoughts on the outdoors - Tes Awoke, Project Assistant, Element Society
• Encouraging young people to look after the environment - Debbie Webster, Volunteering and Community Involvement Manager, Peak District National Trust

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