The Outdoor Guide Foundation is a charitable scheme championed by Gina Bradbury Fox, her sister outdoor television presenter Julia Bradbury and The Outdoor Guide. Government figures show there are over 20,000 Primary Schools in the UK of which a number of families do not have easy access to the right gear to enjoy the outdoors. Our aim over the next five years is to donate at least 10 waterproof suits and wellies to these UK schools.

The Outdoor Guide is a free online hub for all things walking in the UK, co-founded by the sisters. The site provides suggested walking routes along with recommendations for places to visit, experience, eat, drink and sleep along the way.

Their aim is to encourage people of all ages to get outside and enjoy the natural wonders that are all around us. The Outdoor Guide Foundation is dedicated to many new outdoor enabling initiatives – the first being The Waterproof and Wellies Project for Primary School children, the future generation who need to experience, understand and protect nature,

Why now? During the global pandemic it became clear that we are facing a major health problem, The World Health Organisation has warned of a looming global mental health crisis as a result of Covid-19. ( 1) In regards to young people:

Fact: Children get outside for regular exercise less than prison inmates

• 1 in 10 school children have a diagnosable mental health condition

• 75% of all mental health problems are established by the time someone is 18

• 75% of young people who are experiencing mental health problems aren’t receiving any treatment

Why get kids outside?

• Educational benefits include an increase in concentration, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as well as self-awareness and improved sleep, which in turn leads to better behaviour.

• Isolation is a big problem with young people and the outdoors allows for them to work together and develop emotionally, increasing social interaction and empathy.

• The Children’s Society says that spending time outdoors and in nature enhances a young person’s short and long-term wellbeing. It is also known to improve mental development and personal fulfilment.

• Mind says that there are huge health benefits in all age ranges including a reduction in anger, stress, anxiety and an increase in physical fitness as well as a sense of balance and personal awareness.

TV presenter Gemma Hunt from CBeebies who fully supports the Foundation and founder Gina Bradbury Fox launched the Waterproofs and Wellies campaign at Four Acres Academy, Bristol in March 2021.

Child Poverty

• In the United Kingdom in 2018-19 there were 4.2million children living below the poverty line.

• That’s the equivalent of 9 children in every class of 30 children.

• Children from black and minority ethnic groups are more likely to be in poverty – 46% are living in poverty compared to 26% of children in white British families.

• 72% of children who are growing up in poverty live in a household where at least one person works.

How The Outdoor Guide Foundation will help?

Anecdotally we have found that one of the reasons children aren’t getting outside is that they don’t have the appropriate clothing to wear – especially for wet weather.

Chris Rowley, a teacher from the West Pennine Moors told us.

“Currently, we plan ahead and text parents to bring in suitable kit; this has drawbacks as kit is forgotten, or inappropriate for that day’s weather etc. It would be so nice to be able to grab 30 kits straight off the shelf and go out into the countryside at a moment’s notice. The issue is how we would fund purchasing 30 kits. Sadly, as a small school, funding is extremely tight and we only have a limited number of children who have PP funding.”

We’re not talking about anything technical – a pair of wellington boots, waterproof jacket and trousers and you’re ready for anything. We have been negotiating with suppliers and have the support of Dunlop, to find a cost effective way of making these kits available.

Julia Bradbury says, “ I am thrilled to be supporting this and encouraging more children to get outside in all weathers! These packs have been sourced as the basic gear that will allow children to have wonderful outdoor experiences, whatever the weather.”

Why do we need your support?

We know there are many families across the UK living on or below the poverty line for which buying outdoor gear would simply not be possible. These are the families we need your help to support. By donating today you will enable us to provide a minimum of 10 kits to Primary Schools across the UK so kits are available to be used by the children who otherwise wouldn’t have access to them.

For some parents – the cost of this kit is affordable and for those parents we will be selling the kits via The Outdoor Guide website at cost price with a special code provided by the school. This is how your donation can support children across schools in the UK.

£30.00 – will buy and deliver 1 complete kit to a school

£300.00 – will buy and deliver 10 complete kits to a school

£1,200 – will buy and deliver 40 complete kits to 4 schools

£10,000 – will provide kits for schools you choose in a specific area

Thank you for your valuable support, for further information and to find out how you could you get involved or help with our aims, please email: gina@theoutdoorguide.co.uk or visit www.theoutdoorguide.co.uk.

Research Links

i https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/facing-mental-health-fallout-from-the-coronavirus-pandemic

ii The Children’s Society - https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/news-and-blogs/our-blog/mental-health-statistics

iii https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53522492

iv Ramblers Association - https://www.ramblers.org.uk/advice/facts-and-stats-about-walking/health-benefits-of-walking.aspx

v Child Poverty Action Group - https://cpag.org.uk/child-poverty/child-poverty-facts-and-figures