Date/Time
Wednesday, 10 October 2018 - Friday, 12 October 2018
All Day
Location
Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, Northern Ireland
Details
2018 marks the 50th year of the Outdoor Recreation Network and also of Tollymore National Outdoor Centre in Northern Ireland. Come and join us in October in a double birthday celebration at Tollymore amidst the beautiful Mourne Mountains, for an important conference examining the Social Value of the Outdoors.
Over the past 50 years much has changed in the fabric of our society, technologically and in the way that we live and work. However, the importance of the natural environment remains unchanged and the benefits that these places bring to individuals and communities are just as important as they ever were. We know that outdoor recreation brings health, well-being, social cohesion, inclusivity and educative benefits. Increasingly we need to demonstrate the value of these benefits in socio-economic terms to ensure that resources are provided, that access to places is protected and that opportunities are not diminished.
Social Value of the Outdoors will evidence the benefits of outdoor recreation, showcase projects that have genuinely made a difference to people’s lives and examine how to effectively engage communities and workshops on social value. It will be of interest to policymakers, academics, practitioners and those involved with recreation in both green and blue outdoor environments.
Social Value of the Outdoors will take place on 11th and 12th October 2018 at Tollymore National Outdoor Centre 30 miles south of Belfast. It will include expert presentations, themed workshops and practical site visits.
This is a great opportunity to connect and network with like-minded professionals working in outdoor recreation development and management; to develop CPD learning, share experiences and build relationships.
Presentations delivered are available through the links in the Programme, so you can share the information with your colleagues
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THURSDAY 11th October |
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09:00 |
Registration |
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09:30 |
Welcome and introductions |
Chair of ORN – Terry Robinson CEO / Chairman of Sport Northern Ireland |
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09:50 |
Keynote speaker 1 |
The Irish Green Exercise Network – Exciting developments and collaborative working Dr Tadhg McIntyre (University of Limerick) |
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10.30 |
Keynote speaker 2 |
Dr Barbara Eigenschenk (Technical University Munich) |
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11.10 |
Questions and discussions |
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11.30 |
Coffee break |
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11:50 |
Speaker 3 |
Community Planning and access to Greenspace – is there a revolution happening in Northern Ireland? Jonny McBride – NM&D District Council |
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12.20 |
Speaker 4 |
Engaging ethnic communities and promoting community integration – The Mosaic project. |
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12:50 |
Speaker 5 |
Community engagement in rural and urban communities across Northern Ireland with green space. Stephen Duggan, Woodland Trust |
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13.10 |
Plenary session – Questions |
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13:30 |
Lunch |
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14:30 |
Workshop session 1 |
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Health and well-being |
Outdoor Learning |
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Speaker –Sarah MacBride-Stewart Cardiff University Health and Well-being in National Parks |
Speaker – Andy Robinson CEO of the Institute for Outdoor Learning. 15 years since the charter for outdoor learning was signed – where to next |
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Discussion / questions |
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15.15 |
Coffee / tea break |
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15:45 |
Workshop session 2 |
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Community engagement |
Measuring value |
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Speaker – Philip Weston |
Speaker – Dr Mark Atkinson |
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Discussion / questions |
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16.30 |
Plenary |
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17.00 |
Conference close – forest walks |
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19.00 |
Conference dinner |
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20.30 |
After dinner presentation – Upland Meanderings – Frank Nugent |
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FRIDAY 12th October |
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SITE VISITS |
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09:00 |
Registration at Tollymore National Outdoor Centre with coffee/tea |
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09:30 |
Depart for site visits |
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Option 1 |
Land based community trails and developments in Castlewellan area. How community trails have energised a community. The site visit will also go to look at the development of walking and cycling Castlewellan Forest park and how the creation of a pump track has engaged local young people. |
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Option 2 |
Engaging communities through volunteering. A site visit in conjunction with the Mourne Heritage Trust to Silent Valley and to other areas of the Mournes to see their work with people with disabilities and mental health issues through volunteering |
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12:30 |
Return to Tollymore for lunch |
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14:00 |
Depart |
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