WELCOME TO THE OUTDOORS INITIATIVE

The Outdoors Initiative CIC is a not-for-profit company that's aim is to deliver enrichment to the lives of people, families or groups that would not otherwise gain the opportunity to have fun, engage or learn in the outdoor environment.

Learning Opportunities

Deliver informal learning opportunities to all using the outdoors as a medium.

Learning and Achieving

Actively reduce barriers to learning and achieving.

Outdoor Activities

Create opportunities for people to engage and participate in outdoor activities that also actively healthy lifestyles and a healthy mind.

Engage in the outdoors

Provide an opportunity for local people to engage in the outdoors

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." - John Muir

HOW DO WE DO THIS?

Research and Development

We are dedicated to challenging the status quo by asking, "Why can’t we?" A portion of your fee is invested in researching and developing new programs that are cost-effective, safe, and designed to help people achieve their goals.

Schools and Education, Alternative Education

We bring the national curriculum to life in the outdoors. We collaborate with school staff to identify key learning outcomes and tailor our approach to fit the specific needs of your school. This could involve offering an accredited course for your learners or providing weekly outdoor sessions.

Social Prescribing

Following a referral, we offer a range of outdoor engagement activities designed to support your well-being. We can enhance your fitness with scheduled countryside walks, spend time in the forest crafting woodland tools, or participate in cooking sessions. Additionally, we provide activities that contribute to mental health and confidence-building, with opportunities to earn certifications.

Community Engagement and Support

We offer comprehensive support for securing funding, assisting with funding bids, and organizing charity activities.

Our approach includes:

  1. Funding Acquisition: We actively seek and apply for funding to support charities and groups, enhancing social engagement with the outdoors.
  2. Direct and Collaborative Support: We assist with:
    • Charity and fundraising events and activities
    • Health and wellbeing initiatives

Training and Accredited Courses

We provide a variety of courses to equip you with the skills to deliver content to groups and individuals. Our offerings include:

  • Accredited courses such as the Bushcraft, Survival, and Wilderness Living Certificate (accredited by NCFE), or caving qualifications (accredited by the British Caving Association).
  • Non-accredited training in outdoor activities, including team building, lesson planning, and more.

OUR ORGANISATION

"We aim to work with you to improve your life"

CONSULTANCY

The Outdoors Initiative CIC can provide consultancy to any organisation in the outdoor industry, this can vary from Technical Advice to advise on running outdoor activities or applying for funding. Consultancy services are bespoke and designed with the organisation to meet their needs.

OUR TEAM

The Outdoors Initiative CIC was established by Mark Fox following a 17yrs in Outdoor Education. All staff have individual skill bases that contribute to the quality, methodology and direction of the company.  All have hands-on experience in working with people and groups from different backgrounds and a variety of different locations and environments. All Staff have delivered learning opportunities for people and have experience of managing staff, a fluid approach and the ability to be flexible without compromising the safety and quality of delivery.

THE THINK TANK

As part of our mission to create opportunities we believe it takes a team effort. A team that can contribute towards a common goal, without feeling unable to disagree or challenge each other, communicate concerns or better ways of working. Each steering group member has experience and specialities in fields that overlap and can become part of a truly team working ethic.

MARK FOX

APIOL, CIC, L5 NCFE Bushcraft Instructor, UKCC L2 coach, etc.

I have 20 + years working in the Outdoor education environment and prior to this worked in Community regeneration and youth work settings.

DR Deborah Fox

A doctor in Clinical Psychology. Deborah has dedicated the past 20+ years working in research and development with the view of developing a range of social enablement programs ranging from New Deal to Shared lives.

TONY MCGOVERN

Youth and Adult Manager for Leicester Council. Tony has worked in children and adult and youth services for 25+ years, he worked within Stoke on Trent City Council prior to his appointment in Leister.  Tony is also an Outdoor Education Instructor and uses then outdoors as a medium to learning and reducing the barriers to developing young people and communities.

He has vast knowledge in organising events, managing people and front line engagement with the community as a whole.

CONTACT

We'd love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about our programs, need support, or want to learn more about how we can help, please reach out. Our team is ready to assist you with any inquiries and provide the information you need.

COMPANY DETAILS

The Outdoors Initiative CIC is a registered company number:
Peak District Survival School operates under license to Peak District Survival School LTD an Approved NCFE Centre No. 1135

Registered Office:

The Outdoors Initiative CIC
33 Southbank street
Staffordshire Moorlands
ST13 5LS

© 2024-25 The Outdoors Initiative CIC