All onboard the drive to enhance the outdoors!
On Friday 11 June 2010, 30 park mangers, rangers, private landowners, countryside officers and outdoor recreation group members* from across Northern Ireland climbed onboard the orchard express at Peatlands Park, Dungannon to take part in ‘Enhancing the Outdoor Experience’ training workshop facilitated by the Sensory Trust.
The training workshop was organised by the Countryside Access and Activities Network’s (CAAN) Venture Outdoors team who were delighted to offer training facilitated by the Sensory Trust (www.sensorytrust.org.uk). The sensory Trust have been working with site managers, communities and professional in the UK and internationally to increase the quality of the visitor experience in public open spaces for over 15 years, for all people regardless of age, ability or background.
The training provided delegates with the opportunity to increase their knowledge of creative techniques for engaging social excluded groups, gaining a greater understanding of the benefits of engaging communities in the planning and/or regeneration of public green space, and enhancing knowledge of the physical, sensory, intellectual access barriers and how they can be over come to create a first-rate quality visitor experience. The day finished with a journey on board Peatlands Parks train referred to as the “Orchard Express”.
Sharon Donnelly, Venture Outdoors Development Officer highlighted “We are delighted with the response to the Venture Outdoors training programme. The effect of theory and hands on practical workshop will, result in a more inclusive approach to outdoor recreation for people with disabilities.”
The Venture Outdoors project involves three key areas; training for activity providers, landowners and community advocates, marketing including adaptation of websites, publications and devising marketing campaigns, participation in terms of taster sessions and finally helping to build bridges between these groups by bringing all project elements together. For more information on the project please visit www.countrysiderecreation.com/venture-outdoors.
