TACKLING REPRESENTATION

In 2018 we led some research to help us to understand the barriers to participation in the outdoors for different groups in our society.

From this, our diversity project was born. For us, this is a crucial step to help diversify our organisation, the wider outdoor sector and the role models we put in front of the young people who come on our courses.

role models matter

We are committed to ensuring the outdoors is a space for everyone. And using our research as a starting point, we launched two projects focused on women and black, Asian and minority ethnic groups.

We know we have a long way to go, but we are determined to keep learning and improving our practice. You'll find out more about our projects and how to support them below.

Young leaders at Outward Bound

Right to Explore: Young Leaders Programme

This programme aims to develop a pipeline of future outdoor instructors and explorers from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Young leaders are recruited from partner organisations in cities including Coventry, London, Manchester and Sheffield. Throughout the 12 month journey, the partners develop the participants' outdoor leadership skills and experience. In addition the young leaders attend an Outward Bound leadership course, support a local school as an assistant leader before returning to Outward Bound on work experience.

We're very grateful for the ongoing support of The North Face and funding from Generation Green to make this possible.

Find our first evaluation report here

Outward Bound instructor

Women's Outdoor Leadership Course

50% of Outward Bound participants are female but only 20% of our instructional team are. Recognising our traditional masculine roots, we're acting to change the gender imbalance in our workforce. We spoke to practitioners, academics, national governing bodies, experts outside the outdoor sector and most importantly women who want to work in the outdoors before launching our Women's Outdoor Leadership Course in 2019.

This ten week course is about personal adventure and development, with opportunities for gaining group experience, mentoring from experienced instructors and the support and learning that comes from sharing this experience with other women.

In 2021 the places on this course were generously funded by Generation Green and Arc'teryx.

Read more about this course here

I was delighted to hear that a big organisation like Outward Bound are being pro-active by putting in time, money and research to an area that needs addressing in the outdoors.

Jenny Graham, World Record Holder (Fastest Female to Circumnavigate the World by Bike, Unsupported)

LGBTQIA+

Our research showed that the outdoor sector is overwhelmingly a white, male community. Both in terms of representation and users. We believe that all players in the outdoor industry have the power to actively break down barriers and help build an environment that is welcoming, inclusive and appeals to everyone. From outdoor brands backing inclusive values, to us playing our part in encouraging more diversity into our workforce.

We hope to work to keep the outdoors a safe place to explore identity for the LGBTQIA+ community. After all “it’s hard to be what you can’t see”.

Watch this space.

Women's Outdoor Leadership Course

Future Young Leaders