Our Inclusive Adventure Programme aims to create lasting systems change in how people with disabilities access and experience the outdoors. Through co-design, workforce development, partnership building and the development of inclusive community pathways, we are helping shift outdoor activity from being something that is adapted for a few to something that is designed to be accessible, inclusive and welcoming from the outset.
We have been working with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to develop Guide Walker and Guide Fell/Trail Runner training courses in Wales, creating clearer pathways for visually impaired people to access mountain and trail environments with confidence. By building a network of trained guides, strengthening partnerships between disability organisations and outdoor providers, and creating clearer routes into trail running and mountain activities, the programme is shifting access from ad-hoc support to a more sustainable, inclusive system. 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, guided by Brett – our Gwent Outdoor Activties Developemt Officer. Watch this short clip to learn more about Gareth’s journey leading up to the race.
Gareth’s participation showed what is possible when the right skills, partnerships and support structures are in place. The wider aim is to make accessibility planned, supported and expected across outdoor recreation.
The insport Club programme forms part of the wider insport project delivered by Disability Sport Wales, supporting the physical activity, sport and leisure sectors to be fully inclusive of disabled people.
The purpose of insport Club is to help clubs develop their provision so that disabled people are included within club structures, creating the best opportunities for the community. The programme aims to increase participation and membership, enable more people to take on voluntary governance roles, and strengthen the delivery of great sport across Wales.
The Outdoor Partnership established the Inclusive Climbing Club in 2022 in response to demand from inclusive climbing taster sessions in Powys and Gwent. The club is part of wider systems change work to make community outdoor activity more inclusive, accessible and sustainable.
By working with clubs, volunteers, activity providers, National Governing Bodies and community organisations, we have built local capacity, improved inclusive practice and strengthened pathways for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to take part regularly.
With support from the Morrisons Foundation and Sport Powys, and delivery through Llangorse Multi Activity Centre, the club now provides a trusted local model for inclusive provision. It is helping shift practice away from short-term or specialist interventions towards community opportunities designed to be accessible from the outset.
Held at Dale, Pembrokeshire, this unique event was run in conjunction with three local providers, giving a taste of a range of activities, from paddleboarding and swimming to beach activities such as foraging and rock pooling.
These accessible opportunities allowed families to come along and participate together to find an outdoor activity they all enjoy and can continue together.
We also invited other organisations, such as Ross Handling who bought some amazing specialized equipment with them to try out, and Cerebra Charity who are dedicated to helping families of children living with brain injuries. This allowed opportunities for participants and their families to share information as well as fun in and around the water.
Many thanks to all our collaborators who ran this fantastic event alongside us: Celtic Deep, Windswept Watersports, Wild Swim Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the RNLI.
Climbing for All is part of The Outdoor Partnership’s long-term work to change the systems that have limited access to climbing for disabled people. By working with clubs, climbing walls, National Governing Bodies, instructors, volunteers and community organisations, we are helping embed inclusive practice into local provision rather than relying on one-off opportunities or individual champions.
Accredited by the British Mountaineering Council, the one-day course builds the skills and confidence of instructors and volunteers to deliver inclusive climbing safely and effectively. Its wider purpose is systems change: strengthening workforce capacity so more organisations can welcome disabled participants as part of mainstream provision.
Through courses delivered across Wales, Northern Ireland and other regions, and by supporting Wales-based instructor Andy Cummings to deliver the training, The Outdoor Partnership is growing a sustainable network of skilled providers. This strengthens the climbing ecosystem and helps make inclusion an expected, embedded part of everyday practice.
Inclusive Coach Education
We aim to support existing community-based outdoor activity clubs by organising and subsidising disability specific training. Clubs who have an interest in becoming more inclusive can develop the club by working through the insport accreditation by Disability Sport Wales. Training support can include;
- Disability Inclusion Training
- BCU Paddle-ability
- Climbing for All
- Sailability
- Coaching Rider with a Disability (Level 2)
In March 2021, The Outdoor Partnership became the first third sector organisation to achieve the Disability Sport Wales Insport Silver Accreditation.
We are currently striving to achieve the Gold Accreditation.
Click here to find out more
