What do Outward Bound know about wellbeing?

As Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 focuses on kindness, we go back to the very beginning of Outward Bound. Our approach is built on Five Pillars written by our co-founder Kurt Hahn - the fifth and (he argued) most important being 'above all, compassion'.

Supporting wellbeing - naturally

We've had the privilege to be around for nearly 80 years and as we move through the COVID-19 crisis, we know that what we do will help many more young people in the near future.

This page has free resources that we hope will be of practical use to you right now. Keep safe, keep in touch and we'll see you soon.

Our unique approach to learning and adventure in the wild naturally supports mental health and wellbeing in two ways:

Our classroom is the wilderness - the mountains, lakes and seas that surround our centres enable young people to connect to nature and be active outdoors, which both relieve stress and anxiety.

We push outside the comfort zone - when young people achieve things they never thought possible, they build self-awareness, confidence and resilience. Skills that they'll take with them, to help them cope better with change and stressful situations.

Find out more about our work with...

Schools, colleges and youth groups

Apprentices and graduates

Free report: Mental health and resilience

This free report focuses on ways we can help young people build their resilience.

Download now

Free report: Connecting young people to nature

Mental health issues in young people are on the rise. With more of their time being spent in a virtual, technologically-advanced indoor world, is this to blame? And if so, what can be done?

Download now

Do small things to make a big difference

Right now it's so important to try and help young people to take the time to care about themselves and others and be the best person they can be.

Here are some ideas of things you can do to help support young people (and yourself). We've used NEF's Five Ways to Wellbeing as a guide - but we'd love to hear your own thoughts and ideas.

Share them with us at #gowildforwellbeing

Further info

Kurt Hahn: Five Pillars

At a time of unprecedented uncertainty we all need courage, kindness and compassion more than ever. Take a moment to read this inspirational philosophy from one of our founders.

Webinar: addressing the decline in pupil mental health

What can we do to address the decline in pupil mental health and wellbeing?

Blogs: more on mental health and wellbeing

Social prescribing: do we really need the GP?

Education for wellbeing: Innovating school approaches to mental health

Welcome to the world of work

Outward Bound teaches young people new skills and self-reliance

Supporting young people's wellbeing in the workplace

More of this please: new research to focus on young people's mental health and wellbeing

Lisa Fathers: How physical fitness and immersion in the wilderness promotes mental wellbeing in young people

Five ways the outdoors can boost mental wellbeing

How a residential trip was a turning point for one student’s mental health and wellbeing

Katie's story: I'm reaching for a better place

Support our charity: how you can help Outward Bound

We are determined that as we come out of this pandemic, financial barriers should not be a limitation to young people experiencing Outward Bound. Last year we were able to support 80% of attendees with financial assistance from our bursary fund.

You can donate at any time to help young people experience Outward Bound.

If you are a corporate organisation who would like to support our work, particularly around mental health and wellbeing read more here.