Our Community Development Programme is led by our Outdoor Activity Development Officers, who act as enablers and catalysts for change, bringing together communities, organisations and stakeholders to strengthen local outdoor activity systems.
By developing partnerships, building community capacity and supporting organisations to work collaboratively, they create sustainable opportunities for thousands of children, young people and adults each year to engage in outdoor activities as a lifelong pursuit. This approach ensures that participation pathways extend beyond individual projects, creating lasting change from first-time experiences through to skills development, volunteering, leadership and employment.
Our officers work within their region to ensure links exist between schools and community based outdoor activity provision, with clear pathways for people of all ages and abilities to take part in outdoor activity as a lifelong pursuit.
The programme supports outdoor activities clubs to build capacity for new members, supporting new and existing volunteer leaders with coach education. These clubs provide thousands of local people with regular opportunities to take part in physical activity within their communities, improving their personal health, economic and social well-being.
Co-ordinated between The Outdoor Partnership, RNLI, Royal Lifesaving Society, the Swim Safe programme delivers fun and important sessions to school pupils to raise awareness and educate on the principles of safety in and around water.
Delivered around drowning prevention week in many regions, hundreds of children in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have benefitted from these sessions, and gained valuable skills and knowledge enabling them to enjoy being around water to keep and to be able to enjoy swimming outdoors safely.
