Fifteen residents recently took part in a Peace IV funded, Park Ranger Programme at Portadown People’s Park, where they learned a plethora of new skills while enhancing the natural environment at the same time!
The Parks Development Team at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council recognised a need and desire for people to ‘get back to nature’, as well as a genuine feeling of wanting to belong in the local community – so this project offered the perfect opportunity.
This outdoor engagement programme trained participants in skills including horticultural activities, environmental activities, conservation and biodiversity as well as a recognised qualification in first aid, safe guarding children and vulnerable adults, and manual handling.
Under the guidance of The Conservation Volunteers staff, participants were able to enhance the natural environment within Portadown People’s Park while also learning new skills that have since been taken away and used in their own gardens and communities.
“This project was a fantastic way to bring a wide range of people together with a common goal – and the feedback and results from the programme has been fantastic,” commented the Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Alderman Glenn Barr.
“Spending time outdoors in nature whilst engaging in practical skills has huge benefits for our mental and physical health, by helping people connect in a face-to-face setting and reducing feelings of isolation and exclusion after the lock downs. For the participants to also finish the 16 weeks with tangible skills that can be helpful in the future is an added bonus. Well done to everyone who took part!”
