About The Outdoor Guide Foundation
Nature should be part of every childhood.
The Outdoor Guide Foundation exists to make that possible, starting with the children who are most likely to miss out.
We are the charitable arm of The Outdoor Guide, a free digital walking resource created by TV presenter Julia Bradbury and her sister Gina Bradbury Fox. For more than ten years The Outdoor Guide has been helping people discover walks, gear and practical tips so more of us feel confident and equipped to get outside.
The Foundation is how we take that mission into school playgrounds and classrooms.
Our mission
Too many children watch from the sidelines and miss out on the power of play in nature. For families living in poverty, a warm coat and wellies are often out of reach. When the rain comes, those children are far more likely to stay indoors, sit out or feel different from their friends.
Our mission is simple:
to give every child a fair chance to experience the benefits of being outdoors, whatever the weather.
We do this through our flagship project, Waterproofs & Wellies, which provides full outdoor kits to state primary schools so every child can join in outdoor learning.
How the Foundation began
The idea for the Foundation began with a shock statistic that stayed with Gina during lockdown. Almost a third of children in the UK are living in poverty. For many families, there is no spare money for waterproofs and wellingtons. At the same time, teachers were telling us that a lack of basic kit was stopping children from taking part in forest school and outdoor lessons.
Gina could see a simple, practical way to help. Drawing on years of experience and relationships in the outdoor industry, she negotiated a way to supply quality waterproof suits and wellies to schools at an affordable cost. That idea became the Waterproofs & Wellies project and then the Outdoor Guide Foundation.
Why Waterproofs & Wellies
Outdoor learning is not just a nice extra. Time in nature supports children’s:
- confidence and resilience
- physical health and motor skills
- focus, behaviour and learning in class
- sense of belonging with their peers
Without the right clothing, many children cannot take part when lessons move outside or enjoy playtime. Waterproofs & Wellies removes that barrier in a straightforward way.
For around the cost of a family takeaway, we can equip a child with:
- a waterproof jacket
- waterproof over-trousers
- a pair of wellies
Kits are delivered directly to schools, focusing first on areas of greatest need.
How we work
We keep things clear and practical:
- We listen to schools. We work with state primary schools that are committed to outdoor learning but held back by lack of kit.
- We use trusted suppliers. Gina’s industry contacts help us secure good quality, reliable gear at a fair price.
- We focus on inclusion. Kits stay with the school so children can use them year after year, without stigma.
- We are accountable. Our governance team brings experience in education, finance and communications, and we report back to supporters on the difference their funding makes.
Who is behind The Outdoor Guide Foundation
The Foundation is rooted in the work and profile of The Outdoor Guide and powered by a small, focused team:
- Julia Bradbury, TV presenter and lifelong advocate for walking and nature.
- Gina Bradbury Fox, co-founder of The Outdoor Guide and CEO of The Outdoor Guide Foundation, who leads strategy, partnerships and delivery.
- Gemma Hunt, children’s TV presenter and Foundation ambassador, keeping children’s voices and experiences at the centre of our work.
They are supported by advisors and trustees with backgrounds in education, finance, media and wellbeing to ensure the Foundation is safe, transparent and effective.
Your part in the story
In just a short time, generous sponsors and donors have already helped us place Waterproofs & Wellies kits into schools and unlock more outdoor learning for children who need it most.
We are only at the beginning. Whether you are an individual, a private school, a business or a trust, you can help us equip more children and turn more grey days into good days outdoors.
Every kit is a warm, dry child who can join in outdoor learning and explore with their friends.