The weather doesn't stop us!

We certainly had a fun, and at times pretty frosty, February out on activities! While the weather presented some challenges it didn’t stop our young people from embracing the great outdoors. Despite the cold and wet weather we were really impressed with the resilience, teamwork and positivity shown by our young people on the days we ran in February.

Read on to see what the young people got up to, meet Alfie who made friends for the first time thanks to his time on the Programme, and find out where to you can meet us in person - in the hills, the cinema or an exhibition centre!

There were so many activities for our young groups to take part in - from a team activity day?to a woodland adventure where they lit fires, built shelters and took on treasure hunts. They got hands-on at Greatwood horse charity, mucking out stables, feeding animals and even taking part in some hobby horse racing! In the kitchen, they whipped up tasty treats like pancakes, quesadillas and homemade chocolate gifts. And a visit to Jamie’s Farm rounded things off with farming tasks and outdoor art.

Our older groups had their second Pathway Day in February, which focused on the theme of "Giving Back". They volunteered with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on a nature conservation project, coppicing trees, clearing brambles and practising bushcraft skills. After benefiting from time outdoors and support from volunteers over the past two years, it was great to see them giving back to the environment, and the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust team was really impressed by their hard work and enthusiasm.

Most of our mentees are about 4 months into their mentoring partnerships - a good time for our?Mentoring Managers to check in and help them to reflect on their journey so far. A few partnerships have organised joint mentoring sessions, which?give young people a chance to reconnect with peers, build social confidence and enjoy shared activities in a safe and supportive space.

"The difference in him is unbelievable. At home he is still a bit unsociable and hides away in his room but he is starting to grow his confidence, go out on his own and go to the shop whereas before he wouldn't even come with us. So his confidence is amazing, it's like a completely different child which is good. We've got the happy child back." Parent

The Resilience Programme groups took on a bushcraft-themed day, learning to light fires and working together in teams to build shelters - very needed in the wet and windy weather! This month’s theme was Commitment, and young people?spent time reflecting on their aims and how they can stay committed to them. Many are growing in confidence, with one young person calling YAT their ‘happy place’ where they feel accepted. They’ve also been set a new monthly Takeaway Challenge - to build a positive habit - and we’re excited to hear how they get on.

Watch what all our young people got up to in February:

Alfie’s story: mentoring helped me make friends for the first time

When Alfie joined the Youth Adventure Trust, social interactions felt like a huge challenge. Living with autism, making friends wasn’t easy, but he threw himself into every opportunity. Through our Adventure and Mentoring Programmes, Alfie gained confidence, built friendships and even achieved a lifelong goal - learning to ride a bike. His journey has been truly inspiring, with his family seeing a remarkable change in his happiness and self-esteem.

Click here to read how Alfie’s mentoring experience helped him find his place in the world.

Volunteers needed!

Can you help us on Saturday 26th April or Saturday 21st June? We need 3 extra volunteers for April's Somerset Cycle challenge and 5 extra volunteers for June's Wiltshire 3 Peaks challenge to help us point people in the right direction and hand out sweets! Let Jon Rich know if you can help on 07469 886523 or [email protected].

Ways to get involved

Push your limits and make a difference

Looking for a challenge this year? Whether it's scaling peaks under the stars, taking on an epic cycling adventure or enjoying a fun-filled day with family and friends, we’ve got an event for you! We have two great offers:

• Get 10% discount with code?YAT10 when you sign up to Somerset Cycle, Wiltshire 3 Peaks or Summit Under Stars.
• Plus if you sign up to Summit Under Stars before 1st April, you'll also receive a ￡20 Ellis Brigham voucher!

Click here to take a look at our challenges.

Free National Outdoor Expo tickets

Spring is in the air and we’re excited to be heading to the National Outdoor Expo in Birmingham this month! Join us on Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd March for one of the most inspiring and motivating outdoor events of the year! Tickets also give you access to the National Cycling Show and we have a limited number of free and discounted tickets to give away - just use code YAT at checkout. Click here to get your free tickets

Join the UK Premiere of the Women's Adventure Film Tour 2025

Be among the first to experience this highly anticipated film tour as we screen it on its UK release date: 1st April at the Hen & Chicken in Bristol. Now in its 9th season, the tour brings an exhilarating selection of short films celebrating remarkable women pushing the limits of adventure. This year’s lineup promises breathtaking stories of determination, courage, and triumph. Click here to book your tickets.

Back a winner - raise funds while you play

If your office runs a Grand National sweepstake every year, why not make it count for more? Get everyone involved, have some fun, and raise vital funds for vulnerable young people at the same time. Contact Natalie Levin on [email protected] to request your sweepstake sheet and turn your office tradition into something truly meaningful!

Inspiration Corner

Where we share interesting articles, books, podcasts or events to inspire you to get outside for your own adventures...

King of the Fells: Joss Naylor, the shepherd breaking running records

Fell running is a demanding endurance sport and the late Joss Naylor ran with all his heart. Fuelled by apple cake and Guinness, the English sheep farmer from the Lake District, an idyllic part of north-west England, broke multiple long-distance running records.

Epic British Walks - OS Walking Guidebook

OS Epic British Walks is an inspiring introduction to distance walking, with thirty-eight amazing trails of immense diversity, each graded by difficulty, with routes for first time hikers as well as for the super-fit, seasoned multi-day rambler. It's the perfect book for planning a walking adventure, hiking holiday or weekend ramble! Click here to shop now.

Give the gift of adventure

We are only able to support young people through this challenging and uncertain time thanks to the support of people who volunteer, donate, fundraise or leave a gift in their Will. We know times are hard at the moment, but if you are able to give a gift to support young people, it will make a huge difference. Thank you.

Click here to give a gift.