The Nature of Scotland â Autumn 2011 â Issue 13
The Nature of Scotland â Autumn 2011 â Issue 13
The Nature of Scotland â Autumn 2011 â Issue 13
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Personal stories<br />
On the edge <strong>of</strong> Dundee, the Broughty<br />
Ferry Environmental Project is a<br />
community-based initiative that<br />
supports local people to develop<br />
and deliver environmental activities,<br />
ranging from outdoor drama to species<br />
surveying and creating habitats.<br />
Over 70% <strong>of</strong> volunteers are from<br />
disadvantaged groups, including<br />
deprived communities in east Dundee<br />
and people with physical and mental<br />
health problems. <strong>The</strong> group used<br />
storytelling sessions to share personal<br />
experiences and explore how their<br />
approach was important in attracting<br />
and retaining volunteers.<br />
“We found that our wide<br />
interpretation <strong>of</strong> environmental activity<br />
helps attract people <strong>of</strong> differing<br />
interests,” explained Ann Lolley from<br />
the project. “Many <strong>of</strong> the folk who come<br />
along then go on to interact with the<br />
environment in lots <strong>of</strong> ways.”<br />
For some, the group’s activities <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
the satisfaction <strong>of</strong> making a practical<br />
difference to the natural environment;<br />
for others, nature is an inspiration for<br />
creative activities; and for many, simply<br />
being outdoors and in good company<br />
has a positive impact on health and<br />
well-being.<br />
A key feature <strong>of</strong> action research<br />
is that it allows people to be directly<br />
involved in exploring issues that affect<br />
them and in coming up with what<br />
needs to change. As Kate McHendry<br />
<strong>of</strong> SCDC explains, “Action research<br />
is a really powerful way <strong>of</strong> getting to<br />
the heart <strong>of</strong> the matter. <strong>The</strong> groups<br />
have gathered evidence that’s directly<br />
relevant to their work and which they<br />
can use to demonstrate the value <strong>of</strong><br />
their activities.”<br />
Clackmannanshire Disability<br />
Awareness Group will be using<br />
their findings to lobby for increased<br />
wheelchair-friendly transport and better<br />
information on outdoor places for<br />
people with disabilities. <strong>The</strong>ir research<br />
has already meant that the group has<br />
been invited on to the steering group<br />
for developing access at Gartmorn<br />
Dam Country Park.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir research explored the barriers<br />
that local people with disabilities face<br />
in accessing and enjoying nature. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
found that, for people without cars,<br />
access to nature is largely confined to<br />
trips run by the council day services,<br />
for example with the Whins Centre<br />
rambling group.<br />
However, as Enid Trevett from the<br />
group explains, this brings its own<br />
constraints. “You’re always up against<br />
the schedule <strong>of</strong> the bus that has to<br />
get back in time to take the other<br />
service users home,” she pointed out.<br />
Many people with disabilities don’t<br />
venture into the outdoors because they<br />
don’t know what obstacles might be<br />
encountered, so the group has been<br />
helping to create Phototrails (www.<br />
phototrails.org) <strong>of</strong> accessible routes in<br />
Clackmannanshire.<br />
3<br />
“Overcoming the<br />
obstacles that you<br />
face out in nature<br />
builds confidence<br />
and encourages us<br />
to keep going.”<br />
Clackmannanshire<br />
Disability Awareness<br />
Group<br />
16 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Nature</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>