11 Jun 2026
A new partnership initiative is set to provide hundreds of young people across Northumberland with hands-on outdoor experiences designed to build confidence, practical skills and a deeper connection with the natural environment.
The programme, delivered through a collaboration between Northumberland Coast National Landscape and the National Landscapes Association, has secured £25,000 in funding from Amey Infrastructure, in collaboration with their supplier Speedy Hire, to support a series of coastal learning experiences for children from underserved urban communities in south-east Northumberland.
The initiative will focus on pupils in Years Five and Six attending schools where the pupil premium rate is 30% or higher, helping ensure opportunities are accessible to children who may face barriers to outdoor learning experiences.
The project echoes the work that was delivered as part of Generation Green, a UK-wide multi-partner project that connected thousands of young people to nature through a range of initiatives and helped to build an aspirant workforce for a green recovery.
Patrick Norris, Chair of the Northumberland Coast National Landscape Partnership, said: “Support from Amey in collaboration with Speedy Hire will fund beach-experiences on the Northumberland Coast for children from communities with fewer opportunities to access nature. Despite living only a few miles from the sea, for many, this will be their first visit to the coast and one, that we hope, will live long in their memories as the best school day ever.”
Running until September, the programme will offer a minimum of 330 day experiences along the Northumberland coastline. Through beach-based activities and practical outdoor learning, young people will have the opportunity to develop new skills, explore their local landscape, and better understand how they can play a role in shaping the future of their communities and environment.
Speedy Hire – the UK’s leading tool hire provider - secured the funding on behalf of Amey Infrastructure, whose community focus includes helping children access nature and outdoor experiences while supporting local communities connected to their work.
Angela Hughes, Head of Sustainability & Governance at Speedy Hire, said:
“At Speedy Hire, we are committed to creating a positive and lasting impact in the communities we serve. This partnership is a fantastic example of how collaboration can open up meaningful opportunities for young people who might otherwise have limited access to nature.
By supporting this programme alongside Amey, we are helping to connect young people with the environment in a way that builds confidence, develops practical skills, and inspires future pathways into green careers. We’re proud to play a role in enabling experiences that not only benefit young people today, but also help foster a stronger, more sustainable future for our communities and the landscapes around them.”
The programme is rooted in the belief that practical, experience-led learning can provide a more engaging and effective educational approach for some young people, particularly those who thrive outside traditional classroom settings.
Activities delivered through the programme will encourage curiosity, teamwork, environmental awareness, and practical learning, while also helping young people gain insight into future pathways linked to the environment, conservation, and outdoor careers.
Sessions at Alnmouth will include exploring the shoreline, dune systems, and Bracken Hill, where participants will investigate coastal habitats and learn how people can help protect and improve the environment for both wildlife and local communities.
At Boulmer, young people will discover the rich variety of life found between the tides through guided rockpool exploration and species identification activities. Sessions will provide its participants the opportunity to learn about the birds, marine creatures, insects, and plant life that make the Northumberland Coast such an important natural habitat.
Amber Lauder, Development Officer at the National Landscapes Association, said: “Generation Green was a flagship programme, so being able to build on its legacy through this project is incredibly exciting. This partnership shows the real impact that can happen when organisations come together with a shared commitment to supporting young people and restoring nature.
“We know there is an urgent need to reconnect young people with the outdoors, while protecting the landscapes around them. By working together, we can create opportunities that are practical, meaningful, and capable of making a lasting difference for both people and nature.”
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