New Welsh project urges public to be adventure smart outdoors
The launch of a national outdoor safety project, part-funded with £40,000 of Welsh Government money, was held at Plas Menai on Wednesday 5 July 2018.
The National Outdoor Centre for Wales, Plas Menai, plays host to over 300 school children and members of the public who will be visiting the centre to take part in RNLI Swim Safe sessions, as well as meet emergency services and sport partners who will offer advice about safety outdoors.
The event saw the launch of Adventure Smart Wales, an exciting new project that has been funded by Visit Wales.
The project, aimed at keeping us safe while enjoying activity outdoors, encourages partnership working and innovative ideas which will attract more visitors to Wales.
A legacy to the Year of Adventure 2016, Adventure Smart Wales will capitalise on the Visit Wales’ themed years as we move into the Year of the Sea for 2018.
Economy Secretary, Ken Skates, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this important project which will start the conversation between the many organisations who want people to enjoy the great Welsh outdoors safely. Working together, we will develop and promote clear messages, which will enable people to be adventure smart and enjoy their time in the great outdoors safely.”
Led by The Outdoor Partnership, the project has support from key partners from across Wales including Mountain Rescue Teams, Police, National Parks, National Governing Bodies, RNLI, Local Authorities, Sport Wales and many more.
Tracey Evans, Chief Executive Officer at The Outdoor Partnership said: “We are excited to get started in leading this new project and working with partners to enable local communities to be confident and adventure smart. The objectives of the project is to create a healthy and more equal Wales of cohesive communities and we look forward to co-ordinating it and striving to achieve this.”
This project is one of 38 projects across Wales which have been funded with £2million through Visit Wales’ Regional Tourism Engagement Fund and Tourism Product Innovation Fund – designed to deliver innovate projects in support of Visit Wales themed years.
While the Outdoor Event has a serious message about safety, it also included lots of fun activities and displays from Beaumaris Lifeboats, Search and Rescue and the Newfoundland Rescue Dogs.
Visitors at the free event were able to talk about careers and gain information from the various services present, including North Wales Fire Service and the RAF.
Hope Filby of Plas Menai, said: ‘As the first place in Wales to run the Swim Safe scheme last year, we are proud to run it again this Summer and to tie it in with an event that promotes safety more widely. Awareness events such as these are very important for local families and tourists alike and we have a full itinerary for all to enjoy, free of charge.”
