Why does EFHT want to introduce new people to Epping Forest?
EFHT’s strategy has a core value of being inclusive, and is underpinned by a Theory of Change that says that unless people come to know the Forest, they will not come to love or care for it, or want to protect it for generations to come.
Polling undertaken in partnership with Waltham Forest Council in 2023 showed that 30% of Black & 48% Asian residents had never visited the Forest compared to 17% of white residents, reflecting the visible reality that people from more diverse communities visit the Forest less than white people.
It is therefore crucial for us to introduce new people to the Forest so that they come to love and care for it as we do!
Muslim Hikers Epping Forest Hike – April 2024.
What we have done so far
Year one: securing funding support and carrying out research
Investing some of our reserves and then securing support from Awards for All and City of London Corporation’s Central Grants Programme, we employ a part-time Community Engagement Lead (Noreen), to research and reach out to community organisations to see if they want to partner with us on events in the Forest.
So far we have contacted 100 local community organisations and co-created events in the Forest with more than 20 different organisations.
Each activity has been different, to meet the needs of each specific community group, whether in relation to location, walk length, additional activities, access to toilets, the need for prayer breaks or being led by people from their community.
This provides better experiences for communities and people who have previously been nervous of coming to the Forest, and in these small ways the Forest becomes more accessible, and in turn many of the attendees feel more confident to come again.
Year two: co-creating activities and building ongoing relationships
In year two, we co-created events with 32 different organisations, involving 1,262 new people in the Forest. Some people and groups with whom we engaged through this programme have gone on to undertake conservation activities in the Forest.
With each organisation, we have co-created an activity to meet the needs of their community, whether in relation to location, walk length, additional activities, access to toilets, the need for prayer breaks or being led by people from their community.
This provides better experiences for communities and people who have previously been nervous of coming to the Forest, and in these small ways, the Forest becomes more accessible, and in turn, many of the attendees feel more confident to come again.
To view our second-year learning report, please visit here.
Year three: supporting connection through richer experiences
In the third year, Epping Forest Heritage Trust supported more than 1,109 people to connect with Epping Forest through our community engagement programme. Over the year, we delivered 28 community engagement activities in partnership with community organisations, informal networks and local groups. These included guided heritage walks, conservation sessions, creative workshops, family activities, movement sessions, community events and opportunities for hands-on learning.
Our work focused on building stronger relationships between Epping Forest and communities who are less likely to access, participate in or feel represented within natural and heritage spaces. Through trusted partnerships, we reached new local groups and created welcoming opportunities for people to explore the Forest’s natural, cultural and social heritage.
To view our third-year learning report, please visit here.
Get involved!
Epping Forest Heritage for All project
A project to celebrate, enjoy and protect the irreplaceable heritage of Epping Forest – for everyone. If you are a community group that would like to connect people with Epping Forest, we’d love to work with you and co-create events that meet your needs.
This project is made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Epping Forest Together Project
A project to connect communities with nature to make a positive environmental impact in the Forest. This project is made possible thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund.
From regular guided walks, conservation volunteering opportunities, to be part of the ‘People’s Forest Panel’, there are many ways you can get involved in this irreplaceable ancient Forest.
Examples of walks and activities
Family walks with Black Girls Hike
When we first spoke to Rhiane at Black Girls Hike she was interested in running their first ever family events. We therefore reached out to the Hive, who specialise in working with children, and since then we have run 4 fantastic family walks in a wonderful collaboration
14 mile hikes with Muslim Hikers
Haroon, the founder of Muslim Hikers was keen to do a long hike in the Forest, similar to their normal long mountain or coastal walks, however he didn’t think the normal route of the Big Walk would walk for his community, who were used to circular routes and also needed somewhere to pray. We therefore created a totally new 14 mile circular route in the north of the Forest, and worked with Debden campsite to organise a lunch stop and an appropriate space to pray. We have now led two fantastic walks with Muslim Hikers, each with 200 participants.
Behnu-Ki-Milan from the Trinity Project
Behnu-Ki-Milan, is a mixed faith group of older, Asian women based at from the Trinity Centre in Newham, introduced to us by Sir Stephen Timms, as a result of the awareness-raising work we did in the run up to elections. Listening to the type of activity in the Forest that would interest them, and with funding support from Awards for All, we organised a short walk around the Easy Access path at High Beach, followed by a Forest-related block printing session in the Visitor Centre we run.
The organisations we have co-created activities with include: Muslim Hikers, Black Girls Hike, Sustainably Muslim, Wanderlust Women, Muslim Women Connect, Islamic Relief, Wanderers of Colour, Epping Forest Pride, VaChina, the Moja Collective, Redbridge Rainbow Group, Home Girls Unite, Fences & Frontiers, Behnu-Ki-Millan from the Trinity Project, Alfa Active, Stories and Supper, East African Collective, Carers4Carers, Chats Palace, The Tower Project, The Skills Within.
Here are some of the photos from our community collaboration events
Moja Collective Epping Forest Walk
Behnu-Ki-Milan-block Forest Walk and Creative Day
Vachina Hands-on Conservation Session
Carers4Carers hugging an ancient tree
Chats Palace Walk at High Beach
Fences and Frontiers at Loughton Camp
Home Girls Unite at Chingford
Stories and suppers walk at Wanstead Flats
Wanderers of Colour at Chingford
Feedback from the events so far
We have been really delighted with the feedback from the events which tends to focus on people feeling safe, not worrying about getting lost, and learning about the heritage and ecology of the Forest.
There is a need to remove barriers to access for many diverse communities to Epping Forest; to share stories and build community knowledge and leadership about its heritage.
The walk was amazing as I got to meet other likeminded people and gain more insight into nature. I would recommend anyone to come even if you’re nervous as everyone is so kind and welcoming.
I had the most incredible, wholesome time. I met inspiring women and really enjoyed the guided meditation and learning about the forest. It’s the first time I’ve been to Epping and I’m excited to come back again.
I enjoyed the opportunity to hear about the history and current efforts to manage the Forest
Immersed in the beauty of Epping Forest, it was great to learn about its trees and wildlife while connected with likeminded souls! Thank you so much to the team at Epping Forest Heritage Trust for the guided walk!