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After several years in decline, the wellbeing of many young people has reached a crisis point following the COVID-19 pandemic.
We define wellbeing as feeling good and functioning well. Young people need both to live healthy lives, thrive at work and contribute well to society.
Our report brings together both the external data and our views on how learning and adventure in the wild can improve young people's wellbeing.
Catch up on our two webinars we hosted on Thursday 28 April, joining young people, teachers and employers in the discussion about wellbeing, nature and learning.
After three lockdowns, 14 year old Tori was scared to leave the house and anxious about going back to school. In this film she tells us what changed.
In addition to the data and research, we know from talking to parents, teachers, employers and young people that Outward Bound programmes have a crucial role to play in helping wellbeing.
We’ve always felt that our unique blend of time in nature andf connecting with peers on an experiential personal development journey helps to improve young people's wellbeing. But to understand this better we've explored exactly what behaviours are learnt at Outward Bound that help young people feel good and function well as individuals. We've identified three key components:
With higher wellbeing, young people are more likely to do better at school, to be productive at work and to engage positively with their communities.
On Thursday 28 April we hosted two webinars for people interested in supporting young people and their wellbeing. We discussed:
The first with guests from the world of early careers, apprenticeships and employers - and the second with speakers from education, students and schools.
Figures from the Youth Index 2021 highlight significant and widespread feelings of worry and anxiety amongst young people:
We've written an impact report which summarises the current reality facing young people and explores if learning and adventure in the wild can improve personal and social wellbeing.
Our instructors are at the heart of young people's experience at Outward Bound. They not only provide outdoor technical and safety assistance, they become role models, demonstrating the attitudes and behaviours that they are aiming to nurture in individuals.
"I am less anxious and can cope better because plan for the 'what if' and try to remove as many unknowns as I can... Failure is just part of the process, you can still do it, you just need to find a different way, change your priorities."
Like a lot of young people, 16 year old David found lockdown made him feel more anxious and alone than he ever had. David had never tried rock climbing, canoeing and high challenge activities before he came to Outward Bound. He struggled to get over his fear of doing new things.
"I feel more confident in myself. Being thrown into a situation where I have had to meet new people and make friends has meant that talking to new people is easier for me"
Emma Ferris, our Head of Impact Evaluation shares her personal viewpoint on the importance of wellbeing. Emma wrote our report 'Feeling Good and Functioning Well' - and in this blog, she shares her two key takeaways from the paper...
"Since coming off the course, it's definitely made me sort of grab life with two hands. To grab at every opportunity that comes my way, regardless of how difficult I think it is. The course has definitely made me ten times stronger."
