Page 58 - Discovery Guide

One of the most successful activities developed by
the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership has been extended and expanded to enable many more people to participate in immersive outdoor activities to improve their mental health.
Between 2019 and 2022, the People Enjoying Nature (PEN) project enabled hundreds of people to access outdoor activities in a safe and supportive environment.
Now – thanks to additional funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – the original project has been extended for another three years and expanded to cover the whole of the National Landscape area.
The Forest of Bowland National Landscape is partnering with the Ernest Cook Trust to support more people across the county to access the outdoors. By helping with transport and access to appropriate outdoor gear – along with support and a programme of structured activities – the new Connecting People and Nature (CPAN) project opens up new recreational opportunities for people who often struggle to access green spaces, for a range of reasons.
The project hopes to level the playing field and support access to vital green and blue spaces for people in Preston and Lancaster. The Ernest Cook Trust element of the project delivers family and school outdoor learning opportunities in the same area.
Working with individuals directly via social prescribing routes, CPAN provides access to a wide range of outdoor activities including wildlife walks, community projects, nature recovery, tree planting, heritage and history talks.
58
www.forestof bowland.com