September 29, 2026
The Belfast Hills Partnership is a charity aiming to improve the ways that the Belfast Hills are managed for the benefit of their landscape, wildlife and people who live, work or visit.
Here, Sylvia Galli, Youth Engagement Officer, tells us about their ‘Young, Wild and Well’ project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Through our outdoor education programmes, we get young people involved to care for the hills and do their part to protect them, while improving their physical and mental wellbeing.
Out of many projects that we carry out around the Belfast Hills, ‘Young, Wild and Well’ seeks to improve the wellbeing and employability of young people through nature-based outdoor sessions.
The project is delivered in partnership with Ulster Wildlife and consists of multiple opportunities for 8-30 year olds who may face mental health struggles or learning difficulties, suffer from discrimination, poverty or other forms of disadvantage.
Spending time in nature is proven to be extremely beneficial to reduce stress, boost mood and the immune system. It can also reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep and help self-regulate. There are many other countless benefits for physical health, mental wellbeing and a stronger sense of belonging, community and purpose. In a society that can feel overstimulating and overwhelming for many, being able to spend time outdoor in peaceful environments in priceless.
During our sessions, the young people learn valuable conservations skills and knowledge while exploring the beauty of the green surroundings of the city. Being able to give back to nature through practical activities such as tree planting, litter picks, wildlife surveys and more, makes everyone feel more empowered, confident and hopeful. It teaches young people that if they want to, they can make a difference, even with small actions.
“No one will protect what they don’t care about: and no one will care about what they have never experienced’, says environmentalist and historian Sir David Attenborough.
That is why we are keen on using a fund and adventurous approach when planning our activities, hoping that in the future everyone can look back and recall some great memories.
As the ‘Young, Wild and Well team we feel very privileged to be able to guide our groups on their journey of discovery of the hills. The variety of surprises that our sites can offer is incredible and unexpected, starting with the local flora and fauna, but also the history, the folklore and the cultural heritage.
If you wish to find out more about our initiatives, please visit our website Home - Belfast Hills as well as our social media pages.
