Torbay children 'have the coast on their doorstep' but some have never visited, says MP

Children growing up in Torbay have the coast on their doorstep, yet some have never visited the beach or explored the green spaces around them, according to South Devon MP Caroline Voaden.

In July, she raised the issue in Parliament, warning that children are spending less time outside than ever and that this is a key contributor to the youth mental health crisis.

She proposed the Outdoor Education bill which will require schools to give students regular opportunities to learn outdoors.

The bill is due to return to the House of Commons for its second reading on Friday, October, 16.

When introducing the bill in July, Caroline highlighted a conversation she had when visiting Grenville House Outdoor Education Centre in Brixham.

A member of staff told her that some children visiting the centre from a local primary school had never been to the beach or been in the water, despite it being just a stone’s throw away.

In her parliamentary speech Caroline also spoke about often hearing children say “it’s like being in Minecraft” when walking through local woods, highlighting how children’s perceptions of the natural world can be heavily shaped by their experiences on screens and video games.

Caroline reflected on these local experiences and said: “We've got a whole generation of kids who have spent so much time shut indoors, thinking the only way they can communicate with one another is through a screen.”

“It's what they've got used to, but it's making them ill; the record mental health referrals among young people demonstrate this, and it's no surprise this is occurring as the time they spend outside reaches unprecedented lows.”

If passed, Caroline’s bill would require all children in primary and secondary education to spend a minimum of thirty minutes a day outdoors during school hours and at least one lesson of teaching a week outdoors.

Every child would also be offered at least one outdoor experience during primary school and another during secondary school, like an outdoors residential.

Caroline believes that opportunities like this could help children develop critical life skills, build confidence and experience the benefits of spending time outdoors.

She told the Torbay Weekly: “We are in the midst of an unprecedented break between young people and the world around them.”

“The amount of time children spend outside has plummeted by 50% in a single generation.”

“Research shows that being out in nature makes children happy, that children who spend time outside care more about nature, and that unstructured, risky, nature-based play outdoors improves confidence and cognitive development.”

Environment Education charity Field Studies Council backs Caroline’s bill, agreeing that time spent outdoors can play an important role in supporting young people’s mental health and development.

The charity runs a network of outdoor education centres across the UK and has delivered outdoor learning to young people for more than 80 years.

Jo Harris, education manager at the charity, said: “We see every week what happens when young people learn outside the classroom.”

“They grow in confidence, make friends and go back to school calmer, more engaged and ready to learn.”

"Caroline is right that outdoor education has a really big and valuable part to play in helping with the mental health crisis among children and young people.”

For Caroline, the bill is about breaking down the barriers that separate today’s children and the outdoors.

She reflected on the specific challenges and said: “there are various barriers.”

“Confidence among school heads and teachers is one, finding time in the curriculum another.”

“But much of it also comes down to our education system.”

Caroline argued that the previous government’s narrow focus on academic achievement came at the expense of opportunities for learning and development beyond the classroom

She said: “For years, the Conservatives placed academic attainment above everything else, and enrichment activities like being outside, as well as arts and sports education have paid the price.”

“The Education Secretary said herself that our one-size-fits-all education system has made schools too ‘single-minded’ and left some children behind.”

“We have removed the idea of play from schooling, meaning that for some teachers the thought of taking a lesson outside is daunting.”

“But every subject on the curriculum can be enhanced by outdoor learning.”

Caroline pointed to the natural environment as a way of bringing classroom subjects to life.

She said: “The Fibonacci sequence is seen in the petals of a flower, the scales of a pine cone and the seeds of a sunflower.”

“English, science, music, poetry, drama, and geography can all be brought to life and given a new dimension by teaching outside.”

Looking towards the second reading of the bill, Caroline said: “For the mental health and wellbeing of our children, I hope the government will back my Outdoor Education Bill.”

“The Education Secretary is eager to have a wider conversation about what childhood means in the 21st century.”

“I welcome that but she must not ignore the actions she can take right now to boost young people’s physical and mental wellbeing.”

“By backing outdoor education, the government would unlock the cheapest, easiest and quickest way to turn around the vicious mental health crisis affecting our children and young people.”

For the children and young people in Torbay, the bill could offer more opportunities to explore the coastline and countryside on their doorstop.