From Bendrigg Lodge to Doe Park, the Alpkit Foundation backs projects giving young people with learning disabilities and additional needs a real go at the outdoors.

For a lot of young people, trying a high ropes course or spending a night away from home is nothing out of the ordinary. For children with learning disabilities, autism, or complex additional needs, the same experience can be the first time anyone has backed them to have a go. Three small grants, three groups of young people, and the same result each time: kids finding out what they can do once someone gives them the chance.

A residential at Bendrigg

Thirteen 11 year olds from Timperley, Greater Manchester, spent a residential at Bendrigg Lodge in Cumbria. The group has global developmental delay, epilepsy, autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy and genetic disorders between them, and several were facing the trip on top of difficult home circumstances. Most had never spent a night away from their families before.

Happy Days Charity organised the trip. Chief executive Ryan Sinclair said the aim was simple: "We wanted to give these children a chance to experience the great outdoors, try new activities and grow in ways they never thought possible." A £300 Foundation grant helped make sure every child could take part regardless of their family's finances.

"They had an amazing time and tackled each challenge with determination. With the physical activities and good food it benefitted the children's health and well being, with the children being able to experience activities they would not normally have the opportunity to do because of their disabilities and behavioural challenges. This had a huge impact on their self confidence and self esteem."

While the children were at Bendrigg, their families got something just as valuable: a break.

Getting out there in Hertfordshire

Little Grove CIC supports young people with a learning disability or autism in Hertfordshire, working with 29 young people and 62 family members through overnight stays, stay clubs and social activities. Many of the group had very limited access to outdoor or physically challenging experiences before. Their 'Let's Get Out There' project, backed by a £250 Foundation grant, took that head on with a day of adventure activities open to the whole group.

Dawn, who runs the project, said the approach was about positive risk taking: giving the group a go at something new rather than deciding in advance what they could handle. It worked. Participants described feeling "proud", "brave" and "strong", and almost everyone who took part asked to do it again.

"The impact of achieving things they did not think possible was significant to all the young people that participated. It was also impactful for their parents and carers, who expressed immense pride in their achievements and appreciation for the sense of wellbeing their young people got from the experiences."

There's a practical upside too. Little Grove found that the confidence young people built on the day reduced their support needs for future activities, making the next adventure easier and cheaper to run.

A day at Doe Park

One in a Million works with children from disadvantaged communities across the Bradford district, giving them a safe space to discover their talents and build the skills they'll need for life and work. Their annual trip to Doe Park Watersports and Activity Centre is a highlight of the year: kayaking, raft-building and a high ropes course, all with the Foundation's support behind it.

This year's trip gave 33 young people the chance to challenge themselves and build confidence. Staff member Christian summed up what a day like that does beyond the day itself.

"Lots of bravery, courage, and resilience were shown by the young people. What a brilliant day for all the staff and children involved. These experiences go beyond a single day: they empower young people to push boundaries, believe in themselves, and develop skills that will benefit them long after the trip has ended."

The young people's own verdicts were more direct: "That was amazing, I want to do the obstacle course again!" and, from someone rather taken with their wetsuit, "I feel like a starfish in this wetsuit!"

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Bendrigg, Hertfordshire and Doe Park are three very different settings with the same starting point: young people who don't often get first refusal on adventure, given it anyway. If you're running a project that does the same, find out how to apply.