Newsletter Cymraeg
Return
Newsletter Cymraeg

The Outdoor Partnership works with clubs, schools, individuals, and cross-sector partners to strengthen the conditions that enable people in Gwent to achieve their potential through outdoor activities, participation, volunteering, training, and education.

A photo of Brett Mahoney on a mountain in The Outdoor Partnership uniform
Brett Mahoney - Gwent Outdoor Activities Development Officer

Brett Mahoney is our Gwent Outdoor Activities Development Officer. He is based virtually (but can mainly be found running in the mountains or climbing at a crag!) and he covers Newport, Monmouthshire, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen.

You can stay up to date with what is happening in the Gwent area, by following The Outdoor Partnership Gwent and Brett’s social media accounts:
Instagram: @OutdoorPartnershipGwent
Facebook: Brett Mahoney | Facebook
Eventbrite : The Outdoor Partnership Gwent

Or get in contact with him directly: brett.mahoney@outdoorpartnership.co.uk

Since 2021, The Outdoor Partnership has been bringing people and organisations together across the Gwent region to create more opportunities and lasting impact. Here’s a quick look at what we’ve achieved lately…

Adventure Therapy

Building on a model first developed in North Wales, The Outdoor Partnership has been supporting people living with psychosis and other mental health conditions to develop resilience and wellbeing through outdoor activity. Delivered in partnership with the Early Intervention for Psychosis Service within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, the programme uses outdoor experiences to support recovery and personal development. 

What began as a partnership with health services has grown into a strong network of health, community and outdoor organisations across Gwent. Through shared learning from North Wales, the project has helped organisations work more closely together and recognise outdoor activity as an effective part of wellbeing support. As a result, outdoor opportunities are increasingly being built into the way services support people, creating more joined-up pathways into activities across the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and beyond. 

About Adventure Therapy:
Adventure Therapy encompasses a range of outdoor activities that offer personal challenge for individuals, through exploration and discovery, within a safe and well supported environment. Many of these experiences incorporate activities such as cold-water immersion and use of perceived risk (i.e. being at height) as a mechanism to remove people from their day-to-day environment while creating safe spaces in beautiful landscapes for participants to connect with nature while developing and gaining new experiences.  

Participants can access our Adventure Therapy Programmes in Gwent through referral organisations signed up to the Gwent Wellbeing College: Gwent Wellbeing College (gwelcol.co.uk)

Gwent Adventure Therapy
Here is a video showcasing the Adventure Therapy Programme in Gwent
“I am very grateful for the opportunities Brett and his colleagues at The Outdoor Partnership have facilitated this year. They've made a vast difference to myself and the others that have attended. I've been given the chance to participate in activities that I would've been unlikely to attempt of my own accord, such as Rock Climbing, Canoeing and Paddle boarding. Furthermore, they have helped in pushing me out of my comfort zone which has been great, now I’ll give anything a go. The activities give me something to look forward to and I always feel that afterwards they have had a positive affect on my mood and overall mental health. I’m eagerly anticipating what activities they have planned for us in 2025.”
Adventure Therapy Participant
Gwent Adventure Therapy Program
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

As part of our commitment to EDI, we are working with third sector organisations and national governing bodies to develop opportunities, resources and training to improve access to outdoor activity across Gwent and the rest of the UK.

As well as our strategic work, we have developed targeted activities and programmes in Gwent that provide opportunities for underrepresented groups to experience the power of the outdoors and worked with outdoor clubs to increase inclusion at a community level.

  • Young Carers Adventure Respite Programme
  • Women’s Climbing & Navigation Events
  • Inclusive Climbing Provision

Here is a link to a video of Caerphilly Young Carers on a road trip to Eryri: https://youtu.be/Q3GkE12VEBk?si=Bi1z2G8AG_wy8XDB

Our Partnership with RNIB

We have been working with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to develop Guide Walker and Guide Fell/Trail Runner training courses here in Wales, creating clearer pathways for visually impaired people to access mountain and trail environments with confidence. Click here to learn more. 

A key milestone in this journey was supporting Gareth Davies to become the first person living with sight loss to take on Râs Yr Wyddfa. Watch this short clip to learn more about Gareth’s journey leading up to the race.

Gareth’s participation sends a powerful message about inclusion in the outdoors. With skilled guidance and the right support, visually impaired runners can access demanding mountain environments and achieve extraordinary things. It reinforces a core belief that shapes our work across The Outdoor Partnerships: the outdoors is for everyone.

 

Gwent Hill Walking
Employability

Building on the Pathways to Employment model first established in North Wales in 2010, we have worked with a growing network of local authorities, employability services, health partners and community organisations across Gwent to create new pathways into skills development, wellbeing and employment. 

Through a range of Outdoor Employability Programmes, residents can improve their mental health and wellbeing while gaining technical skills, outdoor experience and recognised qualifications, including Outdoor First Aid Level 3, Indoor Climbing Assistant and National Navigation Awards. 

The programme has helped strengthen connections between organisations and demonstrate the value of outdoor activity as a tool for employability, wellbeing and personal development. As a result, outdoor opportunities are increasingly being incorporated into wider support programmes. One example is our monthly Mountain Walking Group, delivered as part of a broader employability programme with Torfaen Works and Gwent Drug & Alcohol Service, providing participants with a progressive route to improve confidence, fitness, wellbeing and outdoor skills while connecting them to ongoing support and opportunities. 

“We at Pobl Brothers, would like to thank Brett and The Outdoor Partnership for giving, not only a new perspective on job opportunities in outdoor pursuits, but helping our young people recognise that they are not unique in their struggles in life which has helped build strength to their mental wellbeing, built confidence and recognised new found skills which in turn has given them a new sense of self! Thank you for everything you've done for us Brett.”
Pobl Brothers
Employability Programme
Grassroots Participation

In addition to our formal programmes, we continue to provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to access adventure activities in Gwent.

Activities have ranged from caving, mountain biking and rock climbing, through to wild camping, gorge walking and bushcraft.

To find out about upcoming taster activities in the region, follow our Gwent region social media channels.

Coach Education

Our Coach Education Programme has supported some amazing volunteers in outdoor clubs across Gwent.

We have provided funding for volunteers to upskill and achieve NGB qualifications to develop their clubs in the community and improve grass roots participation in outdoor sport.

Club Guidance
Looking to get involved?

If you’d like to know more or are an outdoor activity club that would like to get involved, please contact Brett on 07706737013 or brett.mahoney@outdoorpartnership.co.uk.