Protecting our Trails & Building Community

At Adventure Tours UK, we believe in leaving the trails and wild spaces we love better than we found them. This year, we were thrilled to deepen our commitment to environmental stewardship by teaming up with Welsh charity EYST (Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team) through our continued partnership with Trash Free Trails.

Together we’ve been making a tangible difference to our beloved wild spaces, but this journey has been about much more than just picking up litter. This three-way collaboration has been about fostering understanding, inclusivity and personal growth, all while working towards a cleaner, more sustainable environment and forging a strong connection with nature.

A look back on 2024: a Year of Action

Throughout this year, we’ve embarked on several trail cleans in North Wales, including Moel Famau Country Park, Loggerheads Country park, Llandegla Forest and Llangollen Canal Path. Supporting Trash Free Trails, a community-driven charity on a mission to reduce single-use plastic pollution on the UK’s trails and wild spaces, we not only removed litter but also meticulously recorded our findings to contribute to their growing database of single-use pollution statistics.

These data-driven insights are crucial to tackling the problem in the long term by starting at the source.  Not only have we added our voice and findings to Trash Free Trails’ mission, shining a spotlight on the scale of the issue, this data provides hard evidence for Trash Free Trails to present to policymakers and stakeholders, such as soft drinks manufacturers, to highlight the urgent need to address single-use plastics and littering. 

But the benefits of our trail-cleans extended far beyond simply removing litter. By partnering with EYST, a unique award-winning Welsh charity that supports adults and young people from minority backgrounds, this was about breaking down barriers, opening minds and helping to create a more inclusive outdoors where everyone feels welcome and confident to nurture a connection with nature.

Inclusivity & Exploration on the Trails

A core goal was to create opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to experience the beauty of North Wales’ wild spaces. Places that are on their doorstep, yet due to economic and transport barriers they might not otherwise have the chance to visit. We invited EYST’s staff, volunteers, young members and their families, to join us on guided walks. Throughout each walk we worked together to collect any litter we encountered, helping to foster a deeper connection to nature while raising awareness of the environmental challenges we face.

For many of the young people involved, these trail cleans were their first foray into the Welsh countryside. The experience offered more than environmental lessons, it also provided a chance to escape the pressures of everyday life, bond with peers, develop confidence and take pride in making a difference.

The Impact of our Purposeful Adventures

As we reflect on the year, one of the most rewarding aspects has been hearing the feedback from EYST. Beyond the immediate environmental benefits, these trail cleans had a profound impact on the young people involved.

Staff members found a noticeable improvement in behaviour among the children and young people who participated. After spending time in nature, working collaboratively and experiencing the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a trail clean, changes began to emerge:

• Stronger Friendships: Bonds began to form, with less fighting and more camaraderie
• Respect & Responsibility: Participants displayed increased respect for each other, their leaders and the environment
• A Positive Outlet: Nature provided a space for relaxation and connection, helping participants feel more grounded

It’s these transformations that underscore the deeper value of programmes like this. Yes, we’re cleaning trails, improving the quality of our environment and contributing to vital data collection. But we’re also nurturing personal growth and community connection in the next generation.

It was also an unexpectedly educational experience for our own team, exposing us to some of the challenges faced by minority communities. All too often we found ourselves side by side with people – often children from challenging backgrounds, including refugees. Displaced from their homes, they face countless disadvantages most of us are lucky we’ll never have to face. The resilience shown in the face of such adversity is an inspiration and we felt humbled to be able to share these positive moments in nature with them.

Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond

The success of this year’s partnership has inspired us to continue with this rewarding initiative Feedback from the children and staff alike has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire to continue the programme in 2025.

While still focussing on children and young people,  the plan for next year is to expand the reach of the programme to bring more women on to the trails. Across the varied cultural backgrounds of EYST’s members, it is often traditional for women to play the role of the homemaker, remaining at home to care for the children, her husband and their home. This makes it more challenging for women to assimilate into the wider community and restricts their ability to access the positive benefits that come from time spent in nature. By working with EYST we hope to create more opportunities to get outdoors and spend quality time with their children in an environment where mother and child are able to strengthen their bond together and develop their confidence.

Join Us in Making a Difference!

We know that protecting the environment isn’t just a responsibility, it’s a privilege. By partnering with like-minded organisations such as Trash Free Trails and EYST, together we’re making a tangible difference.

When you adventure with us, you’re contributing to something bigger. Every trip includes a voluntary trail clean, so you can help us leave the great outdoors even better than we found it.

Want to stay informed about upcoming trail clean dates and our latest updates? Sign up for our fortnightly newsletter and be the first to know about all our exciting events and initiatives.

Together, we can work to create a respected, more inclusive outdoor experience.