The Mosaic Partnership is a collaboration between the Campaign for National Parks, the Youth Hostel Association and four National Park Authorities – the Brecon Beacons, North Yorkshire Moors, Yorkshire Dales and Peak District.
These magnificent natural landscapes are all within easy reach of multicultural urban centres, and yet it seemed that they were rarely visited by people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Mosaic addressed this situation by recruiting and training volunteer Community Champions. Via local groups such as SADACA (Sheffield and District Afro-Caribbean Association), project officers contacted people who were already active in their communities and were interested in spreading the word about National Parks.
The volunteers were asked about their special skills and experience. Training involved short residential courses based in a National Park, where volunteers met the staff and took part in activities such as orienteering. In their home communities, Community Champions are successfully initiating activities based in National Parks, such as days out for families with young children. The volunteers are also encouraged to get involved in the parks’ management boards, where they can share the views of their communities and help to shape the future of National Parks.