Charity Core: Skills for Life Programmes

At BF Adventure we are committed to empowering children and young people to learn differently in the outdoors.

The picture-perfect rurality of Cornwall hides disturbing evidence of ingrained poverty and disadvantage that can have a life-limiting impact on children and young people. At BF Adventure we work with ~ 5,000 children and young people each year, of whom 500 live with multiple disadvantages including poverty and social isolation. Over 200 of this group receive our specialist long term support with learning and/or physical disabilities, behavioural challenges, mental ill health and other issues associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences.

We support children and young people on a Journey of Change through a range of adaptable programmes that are designed to meet their identified needs. We use our outdoor environment, 60 acres of heathland, woodland and flooded quarries, to enable them to identify their own social, emotional and physical barriers, to choose their own challenges and to empower them to overcome these barriers and unlock their potential.

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Our Values

BF Adventure charity values

Journey of Change

We help young people on their Journey of Change, which sees them identifying their strengths and barriers, exploring ways to overcome challenges, building skills and positive relationships, developing resilience and discovering new passions.  

BF Adventure, Charity, Journey of Change

Our Approach

Professionals, families and young people often ask us what it is that we actually do and why it works.  We ensure our team are trained to develop their skills in the following:

Youth Work

Our instructors are committed to using a youth work approach within their delivery, building professional, trusting relationships with young people to enable them to explore their values, issues and aspirations and support them to grow, learn and develop to their full potential.  Youth work is a distinct informal educative approach, focused on the strengths of young people, and rooted in the young person’s interests.

At BF Adventure we encourage young people to develop new interests by trying new things whilst developing their sense of self and their understanding of others.  This in turn helps them to recognise, value and influence their place in society.

BF Adventure charity

Outdoor education and green spaces

“People who use the natural environment for physical activity at least once per week have about half the risk of poor mental health compared with those who do not do so; and each extra weekly use of the natural environment for physical activity reduces the risk of poor mental health by a further 6%.” – Mitchell, 2013

Several studies have linked the benefits of the outdoors to improved health and well-being. It is believed that contact with nature plays a crucial and irreplaceable role in brain development. Simply walking through a natural environment can reduce blood pressure as cortisol levels return to normal and stress levels are reduced. We encourage young people to appreciate the natural environment around them, from sensory journeys and pond dipping to wild swimming, quarrysteering and the zip wire.

BF Adventure charity

Trauma Informed Child Development

“…the quality of the relationships between children and the adults in their lives, along with the children’s levels of emotional wellbeing, will largely determine the outcomes children realise.’ – Children’s Parliament, ‘It’s all about relationships”

Studies like this show that the main difference in promoting positive outcomes for young people who experience an Adverse Childhood Experience is building key relationships with trusted adults. We delegate a key worker to develop a relationship with each child. We ensure that our children have safe boundaries, we listen, both to their spoken needs and those which manifest through their behaviours. We engage with them through positive shared experiences and use a PLACE approach, using attunement and co-regulation to help them feel safe, modelling self-regulation and supporting them to develop this skill. This reduces impacts of toxic stress.

BF Adventure charity

Our Skills for Life Programmes

We’re running a new six week programme for young people to explore strengths, develop skills and build confidence! You can find out more here. Here are our other core programmes:

BF Adventure charity

Learn Differently

Alternative education provision for 5-16 year olds. Bespoke programmes for individual needs. More...

BF Adventure charity

Head Out

Early Intervention Programme for 12-16 year olds with mental health issues.
Group activity days combining outdoor activities with workshops.
More...

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Head Out: LGBTQ+

Group activity programme for 11-16 year olds who identify as LGBTQ+.
Activity days combining outdoor activities with workshops.
More...

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Access to Adventure

Fully inclusive activities for children, adults and families with physical disabilities.
1:1 or group activity sessions.
More...

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Work With Families

Programmes for families who've experienced a crisis. Support to improve relationships, communicate positively, enjoy time together & overcome adversity. More...

Interested? Please call 01326 340912 and ask to speak to Rachael Stephens or Paul Cox. To see an example of our referral form, click here. We look forward to hearing from you!

Our Impacts

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Number of 1:1 sessions delivered with young people last year
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Percentage of young people who said that we’ve helped them and that they'd recommend us
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Number of whole families that we supported last year

These quantitative insights into the progress of those we support are crucial in making sure we’re on the right track. To learn more about how we measure progress, check out our discussions with young people throughout their programme.

Support us

We’re seeing fantastic progress with the young people we support, with 100% of parents and referrers telling us that we’ve made a positive difference to their pupil or child. But there’s more work to be done. For some of the young people, BF Adventure is the only source of education or appropriate social contact as they cannot manage other provisions offered. In addition, as young people gain our trust they also seek advice with us about other subjects such as domestic abuse, substance misuse and housing issues. There are many ways that you can help and all support makes a genuine difference and is greatly appreciated.

School Trips!

We run residentials that build confidence, teamwork & resilience in pupils. Tailored to key stages 2-5 with all activities on-site. More...

Corporate Sponsorship

We have various packages and provide brand promotion, networking and team-building opportunities in return. More...

Volunteer

Our volunteers play a crucial part in supporting our charity processes and young people. Our website has details of opportunities when they come up. More...

Turn your car into money!

Got an unwanted car? Auction/scrap it and support us through Give A Car – they’ll collect it for free and donate money to us! More...

Use our childcare!

Treat your kids during school holidays to Cornwall's most exciting Holiday Club! Now run by Via Ferrata Cornwall...

Have an adventure!

Make the most of school holidays! Adventure sessions for families, couples & groups. Now run by Via Ferrata Cornwall...

Team Away Days!

Get out of the office and enjoy some incredibly fun adventure activities with Via Ferrata Cornwall! More...

Party with us!

Whether it's a birthday, stag or hen party, we offer a great choice of activities, whatever your age! Now being run by Via Ferrata Cornwall. More...

Review us!

Used our charity programmes, childcare, adventure sessions, team away days or school trips? Please review us on Trip Advisor! More...

Donate

It costs over £1/2 million each year to run our charity. Each year hundreds of young people benefit from these programmes. Every penny makes a difference. More...

Support us when you shop

Shop online as normal using Give as you Live - your purchase will automatically generate free funds for us! No extra £ spent! More...

Fundraise!

Why not hold a cake sale, join a sponsored run or ask for donations from friends and family for your birthday? Whatever you choose, your support is so very appreciated!

What people say about our services...

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