Victoria is our Southeast Northern Ireland Outdoor Activities Development Officer, working across Newry, Mourne and County Down, Armagh City, Bainbridge, Craigavon/Ards and North Down.

To find out more or if you’d like to get in touch with Victoria, please contact her on 07516501295 or victoria.kelly@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/

In Spring 2026, The Outdoor Partnership received funding from Sport NI to support a women’s hill skills initiative. The project responded directly to the under‑representation of women in hill walking and mountaineering, with a particular focus on rural communities across the two areas we support – the Mournes and the Sperrins. Through coordinated pathways, shared resources and targeted support, women were able to develop their confidence in hill walking, navigation, map reading and staying safe in the hills. Opportunities were made available in both areas, enabling women to progress their skills and build connections within their local outdoor communities.

The women’s hill skills project has demonstrated meaningful social, health and leadership outcomes for rural communities across Northern Ireland. This investment has helped reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and establish sustainable pathways for women to become confident, skilled hill users and future leaders. Many participants are now aspiring to support others and contribute positively to their local outdoor networks — a clear sign of long‑term systems change taking root.

Read the full Women’s Hills Skills Project here: Hills Skills Sport NI Report

The Outdoor Partnership NI have an adapted adventure group which offers adventures and events to individuals who love the outdoors and trying out different activities and events with other likeminded people!

Some members of the group have a disability or restricted mobility and may require additional support so The Outdoor Partnership work with other organisations such as Mountaineering Ireland and Accessible Adventures Ireland as well as local providers to ensure that activities are accessible to all.   We have supported participants to take part in activities such as canoe trips, weekend expeditions and climbing sessions.

If you are interested in finding out more about the group please get in touch.

Read the case study below to find out more.

With funding from the Public Health Agency Developing Healthy Communities Fund we ran a health and wellbeing project for members of the Buddies service from Bolster Community.   The Bolster Buddies service help people from the Southern Trust area with learning disabilities or support needs to build connections, confidence and independence.

The Bolster Wellbeing project gave the Buddies the opportunity to try out lots of different outdoor based activities including cycling, climbing, orienteering, bushcraft and watersports.   The Buddies loved trying the different activities and there was very positive feedback from the members and staff about the project and the positive effects that being outdoors has on their health and wellbeing.  The members loved having the opportunity to try things they had never done before and to build their skills and confidence and always look forward to a day out somewhere new!

Thanks to the providers who facilitated the various session and organisations who provided support;

• Mourne Heritage Trust
• Disability Sport NI,
• Tollymore NOC,
• Bolster Community,
• DisAbility HUB
• & Mountaineering Ireland

The Outdoor Partnership supports people across Northern Ireland to discover the outdoors on their doorstep by creating welcoming opportunities suitable for a wide range of abilities.

We’re delighted to launch the first Tale Trails map in Northern Ireland, based at Murlough Nature Reserve!

Tale Trails are fun, family‑friendly 1–2 hour walks where you follow a story map and spot different features along the route.

Download the map and story using the link below and start your adventure today.