Mendip Adventure Relaunches The Mendip Foundation

For many of us, adventure was simply part of growing up. School trips, youth groups, and family adventures shaped our confidence and our careers.

But for many young people, these opportunities simply never happen. For too many, the outdoors feels distant and inaccessible.

That’s why today we’re relaunching The Mendip Foundation with a renewed focus on helping young people to gain experience and qualifications, and work towards careers in the outdoors.

To celebrate our relaunch, we're running a prize draw packed with fantastic prizes, worth up to £540, from our local partners. Every ticket sold helps us support young people.

Enter The Prize Draw

The Mendip Foundation believes that adventure should be accessible to all.

Adventure for All

Many young people struggle to see people like themselves represented in the outdoor industry, making it difficult to feel it’s a place they belong. 

We believe adventure is for everyone, so we’re reaching out to young people from a wider range of backgrounds, and supporting them to become the role models of the future.

Addressing Youth Unemployment

At the same time, the UK is facing huge challenges around youth employment.

A million young people are now NEET (not in education, employment or training), whilst entry-level jobs are becoming harder to access and young people are facing increasing mental health challenges.

We think the outdoors can be part of the solution.

Working in Partnership

We’re proud to be working with two incredible local youth charities, Young Bristol and Youth Adventure Trust.

Through their outdoor learning programmes, our partners identify young people who love the outdoors and show potential as leaders, but might not normally get the chance to take their next steps.

We also work closely with Mendip Activity Centre. They provide the courses and qualifications, while The Foundation provides the funding, mentoring, and ongoing support.

Operating costs covered by Mendip Activity Centre. With the generous support of its customers, we can dedicate our resources to creating life-changing opportunities for young people.

The Mendip Foundation works with Mendip Activity Centre, Young Bristol, and Youth Adventure Trust.

Outdoor Skills That Build Careers

We believe that the benefits of outdoor learning go far beyond the outdoor industry. By stepping outside their comfort zone on our programmes, young people develop qualities that employers value across every sector:

• Confidence and self-belief

• Communication and teamwork

• Leadership skills

• Problem-solving and resilience

• Responsibility and independence
  

These skills form the foundation for success - whatever career our participants pursue. 

Fully Funded Instructor Training

Our fully-funded Outdoor Instructor Training Programme provides young people with the skills, experience, and support needed to begin a career in the outdoor industry. 

Over 18 weeks, participants gain practical qualifications, workplace experience, mentoring, and personal development designed to prepare them for the world of work.

Alongside this, our mentoring programme connects young people with outdoor professionals who can offer their guidance, encouragement, and insight.

Removing Financial Barriers

Many of the challenges facing young people are practical. The cost of transport and equipment can be overwhelming. Funding some of these alongside our programmes helps young people to concentrate on learning and developing their skills without distraction.

Creating the Next Generation of Outdoor Leaders

The need for accessible routes into work has never been greater.

We know young people are ambitious and looking for a chance to develop skills, build confidence and find careers with purpose.

The Mendip Foundation is here to support young people as they develop skills, gain qualifications, and become the next generation of outdoor leaders and role models.

Enter Our Prize Draw and WIN Prizes Worth £500+

We have an incredible selection of prizes up for grabs from our brilliant local partners. Every ticket sold helps us support young people facing barriers to gain confidence, qualifications and their first steps into outdoor careers.

Enter The Prize Draw