KEIGHLEY schoolchildren are among hundreds from across Yorkshire who are being given subsidised visits to an outdoor education centre.

The initiative – launched by Nell Bank, in Ilkley – comes after research showed that youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds had been disproportionately affected by school closures and long periods of isolation during the pandemic.

Nell Bank is offering day visits for just £1 to over 2,000 pupils from the most disadvantaged areas of Keighley, Bradford and Leeds.

Pupils from three Keighley schools are taking part.

The Wellbeing in Wellies venture was the brainchild of the Nell Bank Charitable Trust, which says it wants to give youngsters the chance to “regain their confidence by exploring the natural environment”.

Nell Bank head of centre, Dan Goodey, said: “We’ve been looking at ways to best support schools post-lockdown.

“We believe we are in a really good position to address the issues arising from lack of social contact, physical activity and access to natural green spaces, through our outdoor learning programmes.”

Mark Mon-Williams, professor of psychology with the Bradford Institute of Health Research, says there is overwhelming scientific evidence that outdoor activities are beneficial to children’s physical and mental health as well as their education.

He added: “The opportunity to experience green open space offered by Nell Bank to children from ‘left behind’ areas has the potential to transform outcomes for youngsters. Nell Bank has a critical role to play in helping our district recover from the devastating impact of the pandemic on our children.”