Adventure Builds Confidence for YMCA Residents

At the start of September, YMCA staff took a group of ten young residents on a 5-mile hike across Cannock Chase. While five miles might not seem like a big challenge, for many of the young people it was their very first hike. Having grown up in towns and cities, this was an important opportunity to step outside their usual surroundings and experience the freedom of the outdoors. It was also a chance for residents from across our Black Country sites, to get together and meet young people in a similar situation, sharing experiences and making new friends.

Adventure plays a key role in YMCA’s mission to support the body, mind and spirit. Spending time in nature encourages physical activity, builds resilience, and supports mental wellbeing. For young people who have faced trauma or barriers, completing a hike is more than exercise – it is a confidence boost and a reminder of what they are capable of achieving. This hike was the first of many events YMCA hopes to offer residents as part of YMCA Adventure Club.

The walk was guided by Mark from Your Adventure Challenge, who brought his expertise in mountain leadership and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, and Gary, YMCA’s Youth Engagement Officer, who organises activities and opportunities like this to broaden horizons for residents. For the group, it was inspiring to learn not only new skills but also that there are career pathways in the world of outdoor leadership and adventure.

We are also grateful for the kind donations from the public of boots, waterproofs and outdoor clothing. These small acts of generosity remove barriers to participation and show young people that their community believes in them.

Most importantly, the residents told us how much they enjoyed the day and they are already asking for more opportunities to take part in similar hikes and additional activities. Their enthusiasm shows the power of adventure to create lasting impact, and we look forward to offering more experiences through the Adventure Club.

If you’d like to support YMCA Adventure Club, please contact Grace Maddocks for more information.