A PROJECT which introduces under-represented communities to the Yorkshire Dales National Park was recognised in a parliamentary reception attended by Ministers and MPs.

People and the DALES (Diversity, Access, Learning, Environment, Sustainability) was set up by charity the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust in 2007.

The scheme works with a variety of groups, including asylum seekers and people from inner city areas, to introduce them to the Yorkshire Dales landscape, take part in activities, and learn new skills.

More than 10,000 people have taken part in the project, doing things ranging from fell walking to kite making and dry stone walling.

People and the Dales representatives, community officer Judy Rogers, were awarded the Year of Green Action Award by Lord Gardiner in a ceremony at Parliament. The Year of Green Action is a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs initiative “to get more people from all backgrounds involved in projects to improve the natural world.”

Ms Rogers said: It is a pleasure to receive this award on behalf of all the refugees and asylum seekers we have worked with over the last 10 years.

“It has been amazing working with such resilient, hardworking and cheerful people despite the trauma and adversity they have experienced. Their stories have enriched my life and the lives of those that they have met.

“In a small way I hope that the visits they have made to the Yorkshire Dales through People and the Dales have given them hope for a better life, respite from the waiting for acceptance from the Home Office, and an opportunity to experience a warm welcome from people who live in this amazing landscape.”