Newsletter Cymraeg
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Newsletter Cymraeg

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

Gary Donaldson - The Sperrins Outdoor Activities Development Officer

Gary Donaldson is our Sperrins Outdoor Activities Development Officer. He will be working in the areas of Causeway Coast & Glens, Derry & Strabane, Fermanagh & Omagh and Mid Ulster.

If you’d like to know more or are an outdoor activity club that would like to get involved, please contact Gary on 07742876126 or gary.donaldson@outdoorpartnership.co.uk

You can also keep up to date by following the TOP Northern Ireland social media accounts:
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TOPNorthernIreland/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topnorthernireland/

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

Trail Maintenance Project

In 2025, The Outdoor Partnership, in collaboration with Outscape and Cycling Ireland, delivered accredited trail maintenance training to approximately 40 participants, including council staff, land managers, and local volunteers. The programme developed skills in trail inspection, maintenance planning, and practical trail repair using both hand tools and specialist equipment.

However, the most significant outcome has been the systemic change that has followed. Rather than viewing trail maintenance as a reactive service delivered primarily by local authorities or external contractors, the project has helped establish a new model of trail management based on shared responsibility, local capacity, and ongoing community stewardship.

 

Trail management in the Sperrins has already shifted into practice through a coordinated volunteer maintenance programme across three council‑managed trail centres. This marks a move from reactive, contractor‑led work to a proactive, collaborative model shaped by regular trail users.

The project has redefined the role of local volunteers, positioning them as active partners in trail stewardship. They now support maintenance, monitor conditions, and contribute to management decisions, strengthening communication and trust between councils, land managers, and communities.

Early results show improved trail conditions, higher user satisfaction, and reduced reliance on external contractors. Most importantly, the project has laid the groundwork for a sustainable, scalable model that builds local capacity and embeds shared stewardship across the Sperrins.

Cycling Ulster's Initiative of the Year Award 2025

We were honoured to receive Cycling Ulster’s Initiative of the Year Award for our Volunteer Trail Maintenance Project. 

Thank you to all our stakeholders, partners and volunteers for your continued support.

Cross Border Outdoor Education Project

The Adapted Outdoor Education Project, funded through the SEUPB PEACEPLUS Change Makers programme, shows how outdoor learning can create lasting systems change for children and young people with additional needs. By linking Arvalee Special School in Omagh with Holy Family Special School in Cavan, it built new cross‑border partnerships and a shared approach to inclusive outdoor education.

Through adapted activities, targeted support for pupils with complex needs, and staff training, the project shifted practice from reliance on external providers to growing long‑term capacity within schools. Staff now have the skills and confidence to deliver inclusive outdoor learning as part of everyday practice.

 

A breakthrough moment saw high‑needs wheelchair users take part in canoeing – challenging assumptions and shifting expectations from whether participation is possible to how it can be enabled.

The project strengthened cross‑border collaboration, increased organisational capacity, and reshaped how schools think about inclusion and accessibility. Together, these changes lay the foundations for a more sustainable, equitable outdoor education system for future pupils.

The Sperrins Youth Ambassador Project

*Applications for 2026/27 are now closed*

The Sperrins Youth Ambassador Project is an initiative focused on young people and the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The programme enables participants to explore the landscape, develop new outdoor skills and gain a deeper understanding of the area’s environmental, cultural and community value. 

The project is bringing together community organisations, environmental partners, outdoor providers and local leaders around a shared vision for the future of the Sperrins. By strengthening these connections and developing local ambassadors, the programme is helping create a lasting culture of stewardship, ensuring that young people have a greater voice in shaping and caring for the landscape for years to come. 

Activities cover outdoor education, hill skills and navigation, water sports, agriculture, heritage and environmental topics. 

For the programme criteria and full programme details, please see below. 

 

The Sperrins Youth Ambassador Project - Project Overview
The Sperrins Youth Ambassador Project - Project Overview
125 KB, PDF

Sperrins Ambassador programme Criteria

Age and Eligibility: Age Range: Applicants must be between 14 and 17 years old at the time of application.

Residency: Applicants must be from or have strong ties to the Sperrins region or surrounding areas. Such as Omagh, Strabane, Derry/Londonderry, Coleraine, Cookstown to name a few examples.

Interest and Passion for the Outdoors: Genuine Interest in Outdoor Activities: Applicants must demonstrate a passion for outdoor activities such as hiking, nature conservation, environmental education, or outdoor leadership.

Willingness to Participate in Physical Activities: Applicants should be comfortable participating in outdoor activities in a variety of weather conditions, including hiking, exploring, and environmental stewardship.

Commitment to the Program: Availability and Attendance: Applicants must commit to attending all scheduled program sessions and activities, including outdoor trips, workshops, and training.

Engagement: Applicants should be enthusiastic about taking on the responsibility of being an ambassador, representing the program in the community, and engaging with other youth participants.

Commitment to Environmental Stewardship: Environmental Awareness: Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of or interest in protecting the natural environment. Previous involvement in environmental or sustainability-related activities is an advantage.

Respect for Nature: A willingness to follow and promote Leave No Trace principles and contribute to preserving local landscapes and wildlife.

Enrolement Process
Application Form: Complete a detailed including questions about why you want to participate, your interests in outdoor activities, and how you will contribute to the program. Shortlisting will take place after closing date and applications will be reviewed by the Sperrins Partnership, The Outdoor Partnership and Field Studies Ireland.

Program Delivery: Program delivery will take place across areas of the Sperrins AONB which have been highlighted as areas of interest within the program. The project itself will be outdoors orientated and will consist of environmental, outdoor activities, agriculture and community interests.

The Project will be spanned over a 12-month period, 10 sessions, 1 per month (expect 2 resting months). One of those sessions will be a overnight expedition.

 

*Delivery of the 2026/27 programme began in August 2026, and is now well underway. Keep an eye out for application timelines for the following year.*
Men's Outdoor Wellbeing Project

This winter The Outdoor Partnership delivered a Men’s Outdoor Wellbeing project aimed at upskilling residents through local outdoor opportunities, building better social connections and building confidence in participants to partake further in outdoor activities. The project was planned in conjunction with the Dennet Health Networks Men’s Shed group. This allowed participants to plan and pick activities that they were interested in giving a go!

These activities ranged from:
– Walking events & Walk Leader Training
– Map Reading and Navigation Sessions
– Archery
– Angling
– Clay Target Practice

This project has helped people build skills for future involvement, and one participant has already joined a local club – continuing their development and strengthening their connection to the community.

We would like to thank Damian Devine (Chair of Donemana Men’s shed club) for helping organise the group and the sessions & to all of our expert providers and clubs that facilitated sessions alongside the project.

The Outdoor Partnership & ERNE Paddlers Project

We delivered kayaking sessions at Gortin Lakes with Erne Paddlers, building local skills and confidence and creating strong momentum toward a future satellite club at Gortin.

TOP and Erne Paddlers ran river sessions for new members and families, enabling participants to transfer lake‑based skills into real paddling environments and grow their confidence outdoors.

We also delivered inclusive sessions with Omagh and Fermanagh District Council at Omagh Leisure Centre, opening up paddlesport to people with diverse disabilities and broadening access across the community.

Together, these activities significantly advanced the long‑term goal of expanding paddlesport across the Sperrins region.

Hills Skills

We have also been working with Mountaineering Ireland to deliver Hill Skills training across the Sperrins, helping local residents build confidence, improve navigation, and learn how to assess and prepare for weather in the hills. The project equips people with practical skills, increases awareness of personal safety, and encourages responsible care for the natural environment.

These sessions have now developed into inclusive walking opportunities, offering low‑level walks for local people with a range of disabilities.

The aim is to grow this into a sustainable, long‑term programme that supports wider community participation.