Give the Gift of Adventure this Christmas

Supporters of UK Youth are this week being urged to Give the Gift of Adventure – and see their donation doubled. 

From December 3-10, UK Youth is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, when every donation will be doubled by British motor racing legend and UK Youth president Nigel Mansell CBE, and manufacturer AESSEAL. 

For many young people, a day out at an outdoor learning centre is more than just a day out. It is the start of not feeling lonely anymore, the day they make their first life-long friends, a day to realise self-belief, discover ambition and look forward to the future. 

One mum, whose son visited UK Youth’s Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre in the New Forest, said: “Before, my son was in a dark place and no matter how much I tried to help, it was not enough.  

“When I dropped him off for a day of outdoor learning, I left a sad boy. When I picked him up, I found a radiant, happy boy. He had rediscovered his ‘joie de vivre’ he had previously lost. Thank you. I’m a forever grateful parent.” 

It costs just £58 for a young person to have a fully funded day out at an outdoor learning centre such as Avon Tyrrell.

Studies have also found spending time outdoors can have a profound impact on young people’s happiness and wellbeing. A 2021 Natural England study found 85 per cent of young people agree being in nature makes them very happy. Furthermore, those who spend time outside at least once a week are more likely to report ‘very high’ levels of happiness.

Proven benefits of outdoor learning include: improved mood; stress and anger reduction; relaxation and time out; physical health improvement; confidence and self-esteem boost; social connection; and community engagement. 

Mum Joanne said: “Having a disabled child with very high care needs has meant I have had to give up work to care for our daughter, who is often unable to attend school because she is unwell, or in hospital. 

“Finances are tight, so affordable breaks are extremely important to get us away from the daily grind and to be able to do things other families do. It also helps our non-disabled child to be able to socialise and do activities with other children independently, so he is not always bound to his disabled sister and to us.“ 

Another grateful parent said: “To have a day out at an outdoor learning centre is an amazing experience we could not otherwise afford. For my children to mix with other young children and have such a positive experience is so beneficial for their wellbeing.” 

Another said: “It is so difficult to go on holiday as a single parent, especially with an SEN child – not just due to the cost, but the lack of help to manage it. The financial, emotional and physical support from UK Youth enabling us to have a day out as a family has been invaluable.”

To Give the Gift of Adventure and help transform a young person’s life, see shorturl.at/q8ef3 

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 9,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes