- AJ Bell Futures Foundation welcomes UK National Parks Foundation as a new principal charity partner
- The Futures Foundation will offer an annual donation of £120,000 in 2026 and 2027 across the two-year partnership
- The partnership supports UK National Parks’ aim to engage around 150,000 young people each year, including travel through the launch of the AJ Bell Travel Fund, promoting skills development and nature-based experiences
AJ Bell Futures Foundation is pleased to announce UK National Parks as a principal partner and will be donating £120,000 in 2026 and 2027 to support efforts to connect 150,000 young people each year with the 15 National Parks, widening access for disadvantaged groups.
The UK National Parks were created 75years ago to serve people and place. Today, they remain some of the most powerful spaces in the UK for learning, discovery and inspiration. Through their dedicated learning and engagement teams, they support young people through school visits, community sessions and educational site trips to develop a deeper understanding of the natural world while gaining practical skills that support the transition to a greener future.
The AJ Bell Futures Foundation will further this work by directly funding learning and development activities, specifically the launch of the AJ Bell Travel Fund, which will enable thousands of young people to visit these awe-inspiring landscapes.
The fund will provide travel grants across all National Parks, supporting access for up to 3,700 young people each year, particularly those from less advantaged backgrounds, for whom travel costs can be a barrier to experiencing these green spaces.
Photo credit: UK National Parks Generation Green, Brockhole: Lake District National Park
The partnership with UK National Parks will build on the work of the AJ Bell Futures Foundation, which extended its existing two-year partnerships with Smart Works and IntoUniversity by an additional two years in January 2025. AJ Bell Futures Foundation also works with other smaller-scale local partners including Stop.Breathe.Think, Empower Youth Zone and Little Green Sock.
The AJ Bell Futures Foundation has supported over 175,000 people through its principal partner charities, and £1.5 million has been donated to charitable initiatives since the Foundation’s launch in 2023.
AJ Bell staff have volunteered over 2,000 hours in support of charitable initiatives in this period and the partnership with UK National Parks will build on this community-based work.
Photo credit: AJ Bell April 2026 Volunteering Day: Empower Youth Zone Manchester
Ryan Hughes, AJ Bell Futures Foundation trustee, says:
“We’re delighted to be working with UK National Parks in a partnership which will broaden the Foundation’s efforts to open up new opportunities for young people, allowing them to develop useful skills and build the confidence to take on new challenges.
“UK National Parks engages in an educational programme to support future generations, some of which come from under-represented communities, by giving them access to National Parks, and the Foundation’s donation will enable them to reach more young people through the launch of the AJ Bell Travel Fund.
“The AJ Bell Futures Foundation and UK National Parks share a commitment to promoting better futures. Our new partnership will complement ongoing work with the Foundation’s other primary partners IntoUniversity and Smart Works in supporting people from less advantaged backgrounds to overcome barriers to success.”
Gordon Watson, Chair of UK National Parks Foundation and CEO of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, adds:
“Too many young people don’t have access to the life-changing experiences our National Parks offer because of the cost of getting there. The AJ Bell Travel Fund is a significant contribution to help expand the work all our National Parks are doing in breaking down that barrier. It will enable thousands more young people, particularly those from less advantaged backgrounds, to access these inspiring spaces and have a real connection with nature.
“By opening the door to nature, we’re not only helping young people build confidence, skills and wellbeing, but also inspiring the next generation to value and care for these protected landscapes. This partnership is an investment in both people and nature, ensuring our National Parks remain relevant, inclusive and accessible to all.”
About AJ Bell Futures Foundation:
Established in 2023, the AJ Bell Futures Foundation aims to help people who have faced significant life challenges, by providing them with opportunities to build a better future through self-advancement. AJ Bell plc contributes 0.5% of its profits before tax to the Foundation annually as part of its wider Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy.
About UK National Parks
The UK is home to 15 National Parks, with ten located in England, three in Wales, and two in Scotland. Combined they span almost 10% of land in the UK and are more than just protected landscapes; they are living, working environments where people and nature can thrive together. Each National Park is managed by an Authority, an independent body funded by the central government and other sources. They promote opportunities for the public to experience and understand the unique qualities of National Parks while fostering the economic and social wellbeing of local communities.
For more information, visit www.nationalparks.uk.
About National Parks Partnerships
National Parks Partnerships (NPP) connects business, finance and philanthropy to the UK’s 15 National Parks, unlocking private investment to support nature recovery, climate resilience and rural economies. Through bespoke partnerships and high-quality nature-based solutions, we deliver lasting environmental, social and economic value.
About UK National Parks Charity Foundation
The UK National Parks Foundation (Registered Charity Number: 1182566) was established in 2019 to help support these precious landscapes.
The Foundation’s priorities are to support:
- Work that improves, protects or enhances the National Parks
- Programmes that connect people and communities with the National Parks
- Activities that promote the enjoyment and understanding of the National Parks