The Barratt Foundation is proud to announce the renewal of its national partnership with The Outward Bound Trust (OBT), committing a further £1 million over the next three years. This brings the Foundation and PLC’s total support for the charity to over £4 million.
Outward Bound’s outdoor residential courses have helped over 1.2 million young people build confidence, resilience, and essential life skills. More than 80% of participants receive financial assistance from Outward Bound, ensuring that the transformative benefits of these experiences are accessible to those who need them most.
The Value of Outdoor Adventures
Together, we have conducted research into why outdoor experiences matter so much to people. This revealed:
- 23% of people cite mental health as their primary motivation for taking on outdoor challenges.
- 19% said its the adventure that excites them, while 16% said physical fitness is their top reason.
- Nearly 70% believe that shared outdoor experiences help them connect better with others.
However, the research also highlighted significant barriers to accessing the outdoors:
- 23% cited cost as a concern, while 15% said limited access to green spaces as their biggest challenge.
- 30% of people said they don’t have the time, rising to 36% among the ABC1 social group.
Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of Outward Bound, shared his thoughts on these findings:
“This survey paints such a sobering picture of the pressures of modern life. Mental health is top of people’s concerns, so much so that even something as physically challenging as outdoor adventure is seen by so many as being even better for mind than body. And yet, despite the benefits of the great outdoors, too many people say they just don’t have the time for this.”
Renewing Our Commitment to Young People
The Barratt Foundation shares Outward Bound’s belief that outdoor learning and adventure are vital for young people’s development.
Andrew Button-Stephens, Head of the Barratt Foundation, has said: “We are thrilled to renew our partnership with Outward Bound by providing an additional £1 million in support. This research highlights just how essential time spent outdoors is for young people and their mental wellbeing. Outward Bound offers a unique outlet for growth, enabling young people to connect, build meaningful relationships, and develop vital life skills that can transform their futures.
At the Barratt Foundation, we are passionate about unlocking potential and creating opportunities for young people to thrive. We are proud to continue supporting the incredible work of Outward Bound.”
The Barratt Foundation looks forward to continuing its support of Outward Bound and helping even more young people realise their potential in the years to come.
*The survey was carried out by Savanta, which interviewed 2,293 Britons on December 14 / 15 2024
