Lauren’s story

Growing up on a deprived council estate in Nottingham, Lauren’s life was marked by traumatic experiences and hardship.

At 13, she found refuge in a youth group, which opened doors to opportunities she never thought possible. One of those opportunities was attending Outward Bound - a series of experiences that would change her life.

Lauren ended up visiting Outward Bound three times. We spoke to Lauren 22 years after her first Outward Bound course. In 1999, aged 13, she remembers arriving at our Aberdovey centre feeling overwhelmed by being far away from home and surrounded by strangers. Activities like zip-lining and kayaking pushed her beyond her comfort zone, teaching her that she could overcome fear.

I do remember feeling quite overwhelmed that I’m in this big, massive place with people that I don’t know, and I was a bit apprehensive about what sort of stuff we were going to be doing.

The year after, she had the opportunity to return to Outward Bound, this time to Ullswater. She remembers the 3-week course being a test of both physical endurance and emotional resilience. The multi-day expedition across the Lake District, navigating rugged terrain and sleeping in caves, gave her a deep sense of accomplishment and taught her the power of perseverance.

"I remember thinking 'This is really difficult,’ but by the third day, do you know what? we’d done it. It was just amazing."

At age 17, she returned to Outward Bound as a volunteer mentor. She took a group of 13- and 14-year-olds through the same challenges, and she remembers how this course gave her a different perspective: "It was when I went back and volunteered as the leader and took them other young people back [to Outward Bound] that it made me rethink everything."

Confident, self-belief and resilience

Outward Bound showed Lauren that she could achieve things she once thought impossible. The activities boosted her self-esteem, especially when she faced fears like kayaking. Lauren explained how the four-day expedition to a cave was a pivotal moment where she learned that mental strength was just as important as physical endurance.

Lauren has since returned to the cave with her son, and it brought back many emotions and memories.

"I think I had a few tears in my eyes. It just brings back so many memories of being with my group. It was overwhelming going back to it. Stuff that was going on in my home life at the time, I guess it kind of resonated that you can get through it."

A child in a yellow helmet and wetsuit fits between large rocks, smiling as they explore a narrow rocky crevice.

Person in a white kayak on a river, wearing a red helmet and life jacket, surrounded by lush green trees and calm water.

A camping tent set up in a lush green forest clearing with fallen logs and rocks, surrounded by tall trees and dense foliage.

A woman with sunglasses and a man with curly hair and glasses taking a selfie outdoors in a forested area with mountains in the background. — Lauren and her son, reliving the journey that taught her the power of mental strength.

A career shaped by giving back

Motivated by her experiences, she chose a career in youth work. Despite leaving school without GCSEs, she later returned to education, eventually earning a social work degree at age 34. She is committed to providing similar opportunities to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"I just thought I was like a bad kid, and I was a bit of a write-off but [Outward Bound] made me realise that no, I’m not, I can do whatever I want to do."

Like many others, Lauren found Outward Bound to be more than a series of outdoor challenges - it was a transformative experience that instilled confidence, resilience, and a desire to give back.

"I didn’t see it at the time, I just know the confidence that going on Outward Bound gave me -I just know that it had a massive impact. It was after that that I kind of started to turn my life back around."

Had I not been on Outward Bound and it having shifted me, I could have potentially ended up in the care system myself, and I know that. I think it is one of the reasons why I have always wanted to work with children from deprived areas, and I have gone on to get my degree.

A woman and a dog beside a stream with rocks and lush green trees in the background. The woman crouches on the grass, holding the dog's leash, both looking at the camera.

Two children sitting on grass near a fence with sheep grazing in the background on a green hillside.

A person wearing a helmet and harness climbing a wooden structure in a forested area with dense green foliage.

Lauren’s story is a powerful reminder of how Outward Bound can shape and influence an individual’s life trajectory. The confidence and self-belief enable young people to take steps in their careers that perhaps they would never have taken or have allowed them to overcome challenging relationships and situations in their home lives.

For some, like Lauren, their experience has enabled them to step out of a cycle of deprivation and thrive in a fulfilling career. Many alumni have agreed it has influenced their mindset, their values and outlook on life.