This weekend I travelled to the IOL Adventure for All Conference 2025, held at the incredible Bendrigg Trust Outdoor Education Centre — one of the most accessible outdoor residentials in the UK. And truly, everything about the weekend reminded me why this work matters, and why inclusion outdoors must never be an afterthought.
It was a weekend of connection, learning, challenge, and big conversations about how we make the outdoors accessible not just for many, but for everyone. And not just for adventure learning, but all outdoor learning.
And for Love Outdoor Learning, it marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
The Power of Bendrigg: Accessibility Done Right
Before anything else, I have to say: Bendrigg is remarkable. So often, centres claim to be inclusive, but Bendrigg truly is accessible for all, inside, outside and in its core. But, we also learned of the Calvert Trust, who also do this to such a high level. I have taught in severe and complex provision, but there was kit there I had never seen before. They fundraise (and accept donations) so the key kit people need to live and be comfortable is on site – reducing how much needs packed.
The accommodation is fully accessible. They have an adapted climbing wall – meaning even those in wheelchairs can experience the thrill of climbing! They have hoists, ramps and clever design everywhere and continue to develop it. They have skilled staff who think accessible, not as an add on but as the starting point. And, most importantly, they have activities where everyone participates meaningfully, not tokenistically.
Walking around the site during the Saturday morning tour was emotional in a way I hadn’t expected. It was a living example of what happens when accessibility becomes a value, not a “challenge to solve”.
It crystallised something for me: This is what outdoor learning could be, everywhere, for everyone, with the right mindset.
Hearing Nick Beighton Speak — Far More Resonant Than Expected
The standout moment of the weekend, and honestly one I’ll carry with me for a long time, was the evening keynote from Nick Beighton.
I knew of Nick before I arrived. Paralympian. Veteran. Elite athlete in four different sports. But hearing him speak in person was something else entirely.
Nick talked about losing both legs above the knee in Afghanistan and the long, painful, messy reality of recovery and learning to walk again. But it was more than just that. He talked about the journey of self identity and what it means when the identity we have created of ourselves fundamentally changes. This is something I have lived, albeit to a far lesser extent, these last few years. I have had to accept I need hearing aids (and actually start wearing them!), that I cannot have kids (and what it means to be female), that I have physical challenges and how all this led to significant mental health challenges.
He talked about learning to walk again and finding purpose through rowing, kayaking, cycling, and how he used a lot of this to keep busy and not have to deal with the realities. Again, something I can relate to. If you have followed us for a while you may have noticed the awards I have won, the books I have published, the amount of content online and our members site and how much I travel. All of this is meaningless if I couldn’t like me. And, for a long time, I didn’t. But, I did the work to get there. We all have our coping mechanisms; some are healthier than others.
Nick then shared his journey into climbing and doing something just for him, becoming a British paraclimbing champion along the way and an epic journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats. For me, the “just for me” has been a course on the entry level herbal medicine practitioner. Something I have not shared as it is not for the business, but because I wanted to do something for me and find enjoyment in that.
Finally, Nick shared work mentoring young people struggling in education or the care system and what he does there using bush craft. His story was powerful, but what surprised me was how deeply it connected with things in my own life that I wouldn’t have linked to “extreme resilience” or “elite sport” at first glance. And yes, I will admit, I had a right good cry after and then enjoyed a wee gin with him and others.
Nick spoke about identity, loss, rebuilding, finding new ways to measure strength, and giving yourself permission to be both vulnerable and ambitious.
And more than I expected, I heard echoes of:
- burnout and finding my way back
- trusting my body again
- redefining what capability looks like
- choosing courage in small, daily ways
- why the outdoors is such a powerful place for healing
His message landed exactly where it needed to. Truly, one of the most inspiring speakers I’ve heard. If you ever get a chance to hear him, take it, you will not regret it.
Highlights from the Conference Programme
The conference ran from Friday afternoon across the three days to Sunday lunch. The sessions offered practical knowledge and big-picture thinking:
Neurodiversity: supporting the “superpower”
Holly Wilson’s session explored reframing neurodiversity through a strengths-based lens — something we champion at LOL every day.
Language & Terminology
A brilliant, sensitive session from Access Sport on how language shapes inclusion, belonging and safety. Terms for inclusion and disability change over time and it is really important to know what words to use so participants can feel supported and enabled. I get it. I would rather be known as someone with hearing loss rather than a partially deaf person. It seems small but simply, there is one I identify with and one I do not.
Inclusive Archery, Climbing & Bushcraft
Seeing practical adaptations opened up so many ideas for the schools we support. I can say that I have been coached in archery by a team GB Paralympics coach (and did indeed hit the target!)
Climbing for the Partially Sighted
This was led by Des Barnett and Sam Litten, and really was fantastic. Des delivered both as a climbing instructor and from personal experience. It really helped me relate and understand in a way I hadn’t been able to before. Sam showed us different equipment that means everyone, regardless of physical needs, can experience climbing.
Burnout vs Brilliance – Compassion Fatigue
A Sunday morning session that every educator needs. Genuinely validating and grounding. It reinforced a lot of the work I have done with my psych team and Sara Murray from Beyond Bendrigg, was fantastic at making it accessible and relatable for all.
Lightning Updates
A fast-paced sharing session (where I contributed!) that left everyone buzzing with ideas.
And, of course, the quiet moments — coffee chats, shared stories, laughter, and that sense of “I’ve found my people.”
And so much more
The weekend had so much that I simply cannot write about it all here. From tips for bushcraft that I can use to accessibility, playing on the equipment, exploring the wide range of adapted bikes (thanks to Liz Barlow, Amy Green, Josh White and Ben Walmsley). Suresh Paul helped us explore more equipment and Sean Day exploring accidents and incidents and what we can all learn and improve in our own practice. Never mind the many, many amazing conversations. The weekend had it all. Nick Liley ensure things ran smoothly all weekend and Jac (whose surname I didn’t catch) ensure we had all we needed – including bowls for the biscuits which means they are calorie free!
A Name Change & A New Direction for the Future
One of the biggest announcements of the weekend:
Adventure for All is changing its name.
This shift marks a commitment to expanding beyond “adventure activities” into a wider mission:
Making the outdoors accessible, welcoming and possible for all people
Not just those who already have access.
Not just those who are easy to include.
Everyone.
This is a direction I’m deeply aligned with, and I’m absolutely delighted to say…
…I am now officially joining the Committee.
It was announced this weekend that I’ll be joining the committee board as part of the organisation’s new chapter.
I am:
✨ Proud — because representation for inclusive outdoor learning matters. It matters to me personally and what we do as a business.
✨ Excited — because accessibility is a value I live and breathe.
✨ Honoured — because this work matters more than ever.
✨ Chuffed to bits — because honestly? What a privilege.
I can’t wait to bring my experience with UK schools, neurodiversity-informed practice, and outdoor learning in any environment, from woodlands to concrete playgrounds, to the table.
Big things are coming.
Bringing It All Home
As I drove back north, I found myself reflecting on how much this weekend gave me:
- A renewed belief in the power of outdoor learning to change young lives and all lives
- Inspiration from Nick that hit deeper than expected
- Practical ideas I’ll be passing on to the schools I support
- A sense of belonging in a community committed to equity and inclusion
- And a new role in shaping the future of accessible outdoor learning across the UK
Adventure for All (soon to be [new name announced soon]) has set the tone.
The outdoors can be for everyone, and together, we’re going to make it happen.
