Spending time outdoors is well documented for its powers in boosting our health and wellbeing. In fact, so much so that adventure forms the basis of a huge proportion of our children’s books, video games, tv shows and films. There is a reason for this… it allows people of all ages an opportunity to escape and feel a sense of freedom within a society that demands our constant attention.

Pre the tech boom, it was basically a given that this is how young people would spend their half terms. Being outside, climbing trees, riding bikes or skateboards and exploring the wider community was an unconscious positive and affordable way for young people to recharge and connect with peers and nature.

Fast forward to modern day Wales, and the general population has lost this understanding of the power of adventure and exploration for our wellbeing, replaced by an anxiety about letting children out of our sight. Threats to our legal right to roam, accented by Local Authority run outdoor education centres and NRW owned access to nature sites being closed left, right and centre makes it increasingly difficult for everyone in Wales to access the outdoors.

This is only amplified further when you add in additional barriers. According to the 2011 Census, Wales has the highest proportion of unpaid young carers in the UK with approximately 30,000 young people caring for a disabled adult or child at home.

The Carers Trust survey of young carers aged 11-18 revealed that because of the increase in their caring responsibilities, the vast majority (86%) feel more stressed or worried during holidays than during term-time, further fuelling a generation of children disconnected from the natural world with poor mental health.

The Outdoor Partnership work to reduce barriers to accessing outdoor activities and since 2023, have been collaborating with The Carers Trust and services engaged with unpaid carers across all regions of Wales to reconnect them with the outdoors and adventure.

In that short time, the charity has provided over 2,000 free opportunities for young carers to access adventurous respite opportunities. These programmes have ranged from taster sessions in activities such as rock climbing and hill walking at venues close to their communities, through to free residential trips to Eryri and Ceredigion where they have been provided with a real breathing space to connect with peers who have similar lived experiences while exploring our beautiful landscapes.

“H was a little apprehensive about going caving as she didn’t know anyone. She is like that before she goes to any event bless her. As I expected though, she came back really happy and told me all about it and the new friends she had made and what you all got up to.” – Parent of a young carer from Newport.

Why is it important? Much of the existing provision for young carers in Wales focusses on providing essential respite through activities such as cinema and bowling trips. Prioritising work with unpaid carers to engage them in the outdoors – in addition to the short-term essential respite that all activities provide them with, instils a love and respect for nature, provides meaningful and memorable experiences while promoting the development of resilience, in addition to longer-term skills and strategies to deal with life’s challenges. These are concepts that outdoor professionals have been well aware of for decades, but often struggle to articulate within the education and social work sector.

In a time where our human rights surrounding access to nature in the UK are under constant threat, and we face the inevitable challenges to society that come with a climate crisis that has been ignored for decades, it is our duty as outdoor professionals to give young people the opportunity to explore these places, so that they feel connected to them and want to protect them.

“No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced”. – Sir David Attenborough

These unpaid carers programmes have been made possible thanks to Amser funding managed by the Carers Trust and provided via Welsh Government.

The Outdoor Partnership work to enhance people’s lives through outdoor activities. The charity founded in North Wales has development officers for every region of Wales, areas of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

To find out more about their work where you live, contact your local development officer: https://outdoorpartnership.co.uk/our-team

Written by Brett Mahoney

Brett is the Gwent Outdoor Activity Development Officer for The Outdoor Partnership, a member of Longtown Mountain Rescue Team, volunteer junior coach at Mynydd Du Fell Running and Climbing Clubs and keen fell runner.