Matloob Hussain credits the countryside with saving his life.

“I was working in the textile industry and spending all my time either at work or at home, in Bradford’s inner city,” he says. “My health started to suffer. I developed sciatica.”

Three years ago, Matloob was invited by a friend to go walking in the countryside. “He went walking in all weathers, even snow, and I thought he was mad,” he says.

Reluctantly, Matloob joined him for a walk around Embsay – and it changed his life.

“It was very cold and I wasn’t kitted out properly, but when we got there I saw scenes I’d only seen in dreams – waterfalls and mountains,” he says.

“I wasn’t used to walking, so I suffered cramps, but when I was asked to go again I said ‘yes’. I’d lived in Bradford since 1967 and didn’t know anything other than the city centre. Spending time in the country opened up a new world for me.”

Now Matloob is a Community Champion for the Mosaic Partnership, which forges links between National Parks and ethnic minority communities.

The aim is to encourage urbanised multicultural communities in cities like Bradford to visit the countryside and involve them in running National Parks as volunteers, or employees.

Managed by the Campaign For National Parks, in partnership with the Youth Hostels Association and four National Park authorities, the scheme is funded by Natural England’s £25 million Access To Nature grant scheme.

“About 100 million people a year visit Britain’s National Parks but only one per cent are from ethnic minorities,” says Mosaic programme manager Nina Arwitz.

“Lack of information has been one barrier, but, thanks to Community Champions like Matloob raising awareness of National Parks, ethnic minority visitors in the Dales have more than doubled.”

Nina says issues such as access and facilities are being addressed. “Public transport isn’t as good as it could be, but the National Parks Authorities are lobbying for improvements,” she says. “Areas of the Dales are much better served by public transport than other parts of the country.

“There are social barriers too; our Community Champions are spreading the message about family-friendly facilities and activities, and we’re working with the YHA on providing facilities such as prayer rooms, family rooms, and separate male and female areas. “Community Champions are flying the flag for National Parks on our behalf. They are able to get to the heart of their communities; young Asian women, for instance, are more effective than us at talking to other young Asian women.”

Community Champions are trained in organising and leading trips to the countryside, map-reading, minibus driving, first aid and public speaking.

Matloob, who manages U Save DIY on Great Horton Road, was introduced to Mosaic through Bradford and Airedale PCT’s Walking To Health scheme.

He started by persuading his family to visit the Dales and now he gives talks in mosques and community centres, distributes leaflets, and runs information stalls.

“Being in the countryside has benefited me physically and mentally – my health has improved and my horizons have been broadened. Walking has done me the world of good. I want my community to experience that; I tell people ‘life is more than just work’.

“As a child in Pakistan, I played in open fields; when I go to places like the Lake District and Ingleborough it reminds me of that. In Bradford we’re so close to the countryside, yet many people never see it. I see so many young people eating unhealthily and smoking, and always in their cars. It’s not good for their wellbeing.”

Matloob goes walking every fortnight. As well as leading trips, he heads out with experienced walkers. He has climbed Ben Nevis and last year he did the Three Peaks. He says his message is getting through to his community. “I have taken people from my mosque to places like Ogden Water and I took a group of women tree-planting in Malham. Older people go for day trips but some younger ones are planning to use youth hostels. Understandably, their families want to know about the facilities.”

Nina says Matloob’s work is vital in attracting new visitors to National Parks. “Mosaic is just one strand of the ongoing work attracting more diverse communities and providing equal opportunities,” she says.