New Initiative creating a Blue Future for the County

Hundreds of young people in Cornwall are stepping up and creating what is rightfully theirs: a healthy planet a thriving economy and a brighter future, thanks to a new initiative.

The new Beach Rangers Academy, developed by Cornwall College Newquay and Cornwall Wildlife Trust, is a programme encouraging young people aged 16 to 24 to connect with Cornwall’s marine surroundings through a structured programme of personal development. Through engaging activities that will build confidence, teamwork, communication and other life skills, the programme not only increases employability but also raises awareness of important environmental issues to a wider audience.

Beach Rangers Academy Leader Brender Willmott said: “It’s a really exciting opportunity for young people to gain training, awards and rewards that will make them more employable. The Academy recognises the special places we live and encourages young people to celebrate and protect them.”

This winter will see hundreds of young people embarking on Beach Ranger Academy Training, creating the next generation of blue leaders – despite the shorter days and wilder weather. The Beach Rangers Academy is being run this year at both the Cornwall College campus in Newquay and in Falmouth at the Dracena Centre.

Youth Engagement Officer Jenn Sandiford encouraged young people to get involved:  “The Beach Rangers Academy is an adventure, engaging young people to learn new skills that they need for their future.  Enhancing young people’s employability skills whilst educating them in marine conservation means they become more effective volunteers for local groups.  It instils best practice so that when they become the future employers and employees, the best practice is already in place so helps the environment.”

The Academy is part of the Your Shore Beach Rangers Project, a partnership project between Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Cornwall College Newquay. The project will be running hundreds of events over the next three years, so that by 2020, it will have engaged thousands of Beach Rangers, school children, and community members. As a result, people of all ages and abilities will have an increased understanding of the marine environment and be in a better position to protect it, whilst a network of young people will have improved their skill sets, in education and life, to enable them to progress into the future and become leading voices for the environment in Cornwall and beyond.

A fantastic, new interactive website has been developed to help guide people into the programmes. If you are looking to learn new skills, meet interesting people, be part of a community and achieve qualifications that will look great on your CV, we would love to see you get involved.

For more information on the project, please see www.beachrangers.com

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