How do students connect with South Downs National Park?
September 9, 2024
Students from the University of Brighton and East Sussex College Group have been researching how to open up the South Downs to younger generations, with a little help from technology.
Young people and creative professionals carried out research to explore how teenagers interact with the world around them, through technology, with the hope of gaining insights that will encourage urban communities to interact with the South Downs.
A series of interactive workshops, including archaeological walks and creative exploration at Butts Brow, gave the participants the opportunity to explore and reflect on their own digital use, sense of belonging, responsibility for and attachment to the Downs.
The research culminated in an exhibition, called “Connected Downs”, at The Mint House, Pevensey, that showcased interviews, recordings and artwork.
Mark Wells, from the University of Brighton, said: “Themes and ideas elicited from the research included how the participants could develop an attachment to a space through exploring the archaeology and human stories from the past.
“This helped to form a sense of belonging which could then encourage people to feel a community responsibility and take care of the space. Whilst considering this sense of belonging, participants considered what barriers there might be for groups accessing The Downs. The younger participants were particularly keen to explore digital examples – an app for bird identification was a particular hit.”
The project was supported by the Lewes Railway Land Wildlife Trust and was part of the wider Changing Chalk scheme, of which the National Park Authority is a partner. The initiative aims to reverse the decline of fragile chalk grassland and connect local communities with the amazing chalk landscape on their doorstep.
GRANTS OPPORTUNITY
As part of Changing Chalk, community groups and local charities from Shoreham to Eastbourne can now apply for grants to fund initiatives that will help to restore habitats, bring local histories to life, and provide new experiences in the outdoors. The deadline is 13 October. Learn more here