Throughout June and July six member youth groups exchanged their urban surroundings for a residential weekend at Hindleap Warren as part of the Urban Nature programme. For many of the young people it was their first experience of a residential weekend, and for some their first time in a rural area.

The overall aim of the tailor-made residential was to encourage the young people to explore, and experiment with the natural surroundings through a variety of experiences, ranging from bushcraft and willow sculpting to canoeing and night-orienteering.

In total, 54 young people have participated in the two Urban Nature residentials to date.

Since their weekend away these groups have been developing ideas for their environmental initiatives, either in or around their youth clubs, or in partnership with the local community. Over the coming months they will be directly facilitated in the process of formulating their ideas, drafting up action plans and managing the project.

'I enjoyed the residential because I had the chance to see the world from a different perspective'

                                   Jessica - Samuel Lithgow Youth Centre