Public Affairs

The Colne Valley, with its rich history, diverse landscape and biodiversity, has a lot to offer. Established in 1965, the Colne Valley Regional Park was seen as an important area of land to preserve for leisure, recreation and conservation to the west of London, between Rickmansworth and Staines. More recently, in 2012, the Colne Valley Park Community Interest Company (CIC) was created to implement the six objectives of the Colne Valley Park: - To maintain and enhance the landscape, historic environment and waterscape of the park. - To safeguard the countryside of the Park from inappropriate development. Where development is permissible the Park will encourage the highest possible standards of design. - To conserve and enhance biodiversity through the protection and management of species, habitats and geological features in the Park. - To provide opportunities for countryside recreation and ensure that facilities are accessible to all. - To achieve a vibrant and sustainable rural economy, including farming and forestry, underpinning the value of this precious area of countryside. - To encourage community participation including volunteering and environmental education, and promote the benefits of health and social well-being afforded by access to high quality green space.

Working across the UK for over a century, UK Youth is a leading national charity, and together with the UK Youth Movement, we reach more than 1.6 million young people. We provide access to youth services by facilitating organisations to provide support, develop skills and give access to opportunities for 9-25-year-olds regardless of their background or circumstance. Young people with complex needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are being hardest hit by rising inequality and cuts to local services. Never has there been a more crucial time for organisations to work with young people. 91% of young people supported by UK Youth face at least one barrier to progression; from being in care, experiencing homelessness to having a disability or poor mental health. We work in partnership with local youth clubs and organisations to deliver high-quality services, grow good practice and campaign to increase nationwide investment and support for young people and youth work.   For many young people, their youth worker can be one of the only people they can openly talk to, and their club is the only space they have to develop their voice, explore their character and realise their full potential. We stand with youth to ensure their voices are heard as we continue to campaign with them to have access to life-changing opportunities. Together we can make the UK the best place in the world to be young.