Belfast Hills Partnership

Spending time in outdoor spaces can provide us with a multitude of benefits, from our physical health, to our social life, and our mental health and wellbeing. However, inequalities exist in access of these spaces, particularly among those living in areas of higher deprivation. Young people in deprived areas are likely to experience significantly poorer health outcomes over their lifetime; highlighting the need to work with young people from deprived areas to give them the tools to improve their wellbeing.

Growing Up Healthy was a youth-focused health and wellbeing initiative using the Belfast Hills, delivered by Belfast Hills Partnership and supported through the GroundsWell Innovation Fund. The aim was to provide positive outdoors experiences, learn new skills, collaborate together, and instil tools to start a life time of nature connectedness and healthy lifestyle choices to avoid chronic diseases. The focus was on Key Stage 2, and ties into ‘The World Around us’ part of the primary school curriculum. Activities included exploring various sites learning about nature, physical activity, walking, orienteering, art sessions, bush craft, conservation tasks and interactive classroom sessions. At the end of each term there was a celebration event where parents, grandparents, guardians, siblings were invited to take part in a nature activity, therefore encouraging a health ‘ripple effect’ in their wider community.