Perthshire outdoor education has its first dedicated intern, Christy Bridgeman, to help develop, promote and deliver activities across the area.

Christy has joined Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) and will work with its Discovery, Learning and Engagement Officer, Catherine Leatherland, on education projects like A Tree for Every Child in Perthshire, Perth Wildlife Watch, Highland Perthshire Bird Boxes, Youth Council, and much more.

He will work on communications, marketing, engagement and organising events, as well as managing development and design of resource pack for projects.

Christy helping Kinloch Rannoch Primary pupils enjoy a tree planting day for 'A Tree for Every Child in Perthshire' project © Ian Biggs

Christy commented:

Having grown up in Highland Perthshire, the countryside is something that I deeply associate with and love to brag about to friends in Scotland and others from outside the country. So, getting to work alongside Catherine to make the outdoors a part of children and young people's lives by helping them to develop compassionate connections with nature and their communities through building education projects will be a great experience, allowing for me to give back to my local area with a standout charity.

Catherine said:

We are thrilled to have Christy with us for the next six months, such an exciting and busy time to be joining our team and helping out with all sorts of engagement work, especially given his previous work with university newspaper and societies. He’ll help us develop our education offering as part of our strategy to enhance understanding and appreciation of the countryside through education.

PKCT is an independent charity that negotiates access to land, builds paths, helps care for the countryside and undertakes conservation projects all to improve and promote access to the countryside for walker, cyclists and horse riders. It manages Perthshire Big Tree Country, the Cateran Trail, and Perthshire Nature Connections Partnership; is developing the River Tay Way; and works with communities on access projects.

Christy’s internship is being funded by Graduate Career Advantage Scotland (GCAS) – a new initiative which supports recent, eligible graduates living in Scotland to find rewarding employment. It is in turn funded by the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government. www.gcas.co.uk

Christy at 'A Tree for Every Child in Perthshire' project day with Kinloch Rannoch Primary School © Ian Biggs