A COVENTRY Youth worker has been awarded a grant to support more inclusive access to nature.
Cherelle Harding is a full-time youth worker and director of Steppers UK CIC, which promotes diversity within the outdoors and supports people from ethnic minority communities to engage with nature through outdoor activities.
Cherelle is one of eight applicants to receive the Des Rubens and Bill Wallace grant this year, which was established to give people the chance to have life-changing experiences in wild places that will benefit themselves and the environment they are visiting.
The grant is being administered by the wild places charity the John Muir Trust and will help Cherelle to lead ‘step and paint’ activities in the Peak District for 25 Steppers UK members.
The project aims to highlight ways people can engage with nature through creativity and encourage people from ethnic minority communities to spend more time outdoors.
She will be working with qualified mountain guides to plan and lead the activities.
The 32-year-old started Steppers in July 2020 as a response to the pandemic lockdowns and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Cherelle said: “I’m thrilled to have been chosen as a recipient of the Des Rubens and Bill Wallace Grant.
“I aim to inspire others to appreciate the wild wonders of Great Britain.
“My mission is to learn more and upskill myself so I can share it with my community and the work I’m doing with Steppers UK CIC to encourage more people from black, Asian and ethnic minorities to participate in outdoor adventures.”
Jenny Seaman, from the John Muir Trust, added: “We believe wild places are for everybody, and that everyone should have the ability to achieve their potential through access to wild places and given the chance to experience the numerous benefits.”
