18 January 2023
Sigma colleague, Victoria summed her experience beautifully:
“My week at the Outward Bound Trust was a week I look back on with great fondness, it brought individual strangers together who left as a strong group, gaining in confidence as the week went by the final days were so enjoyable to witness as they all realised their strengths and encouraged others.
“Having participated in a week such as this as a young child in school and now as a (responsible) adult the rewards are wide and varied. Encouraging others and witnessing growth over such a small timeframe was a real pleasure and privilege.
“The entire centre should take great pride in the work they do and impacts they have on the young people who, I am sure, will take the lessons learned with them throughout their life.
“Participating in the classroom activities allowed us, including myself, to truly reflect on difficulties overcome and achievements gained. I found this time did not only relate to the week itself but allowed us to reflect on our personal and professional lives and take these lessons into the future.
“My final point, an important one, on the course is it was fun!”
Gabby’s Reflections:
“For me OB was an incredible experience. It allowed me to challenge myself so much and make friends for life. Throughout my whole trip I was surrounded with positive people that really cared and wanted me to push myself. Everyone was so supportive and encouraging and I was the happiest I’ve been for a while. It is truly an experience I would recommend to anyone and I’m so grateful to have been a part of it. It is such a beautiful place and I shared so many laughs and have been able to take away memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
Ayla’s Second Trip Reflections:
“My experience at the Ullswater Outward Bound Centre with Simple Life was absolutely amazing! I am so lucky to have been able to join another wonderful team for a second time round and to experience the course through one of my favourite seasons of the year too!
“The group were an absolutely amazing bunch and were so welcoming from the very start! My first day of this course definitely pushed me to my limits, as our activity was rock jumping into the lake, and for someone who has a great fear of water, I could have easily talked myself out of doing it! However, I really wanted to push myself this time round, as I definitely closed myself off to many water activities back in April on the first course and so with the help of my amazing team with constant encouragement, I was able to conquer a fear!
“My week away in Lake District was so pleasant and having a small, intimate team definitely helped towards this. Every day was enjoyable from start to finish and I could not have asked for any better! Thank you so much to again to Niamh, Victoria and all those at Simple Life and The Outward Bound Trust for making trips like this possible! The memories really are unforgettable.”
Lucja’s Reflections:
“My time at the Outward Bound centre was developing and mentally stretching. When it did get challenging the group I was with, who were amazing and really enjoyable to be around, helped a lot and were encouraging. The instructors were also encouraging. During our exhibition everyone was lovely to be with. The other activities we did were challenging but character developing. Everyone at the centre was pleasant and welcoming. During the week I was taken care of very well by the instructors and the people around me. Overall I’ve no complaints about it and would do it again. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in this.”
Caitlin’s Reflections:
“I really enjoyed the trip; I felt I gained in confidence – just the experience of being in unfamiliar territory and outside of my comfort zone helped. I made friends which I don’t usually find very easy, and we have stayed in touch since. My favourite activity was the one we did on the last day – jumping from the jetty into the lake and swimming to the boats. I’ve never open water swam before but I really enjoyed this. Being blown over in 70mph winds was also a highlight! It gave me lots of adrenaline. I’ve never been anywhere quite so remote and it was really great.
“I would definitely recommend anyone taking up the offer of this trip and I am hoping to apply again in the spring.”
Anna’s Reflections:
“I went on this course in the October half term and it was genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever done. It helped me become so much more confident when speaking to new people, when voicing my opinion to others and most importantly pushing myself to do things I never thought I would. On the first day we jumped off the rock face into the lake and at first I was extremely hesitant. However the team supporting me were so encouraging and pushed me to jump – and it was amazing! Our team or encouragement or just to talk to someone. I would 1000% recommend this course to anyone as I believe it was one of the greatest things I’ve done.”
Impact felt by all the family – Mother to one of the participants:
“I was a little bit scared when my daughter decided to apply for a place at the course. My doubts were smaller after the Zoom meeting and now after the whole adventure I must admit that I am happy that Lucja had been given a chance to take part in the course. After those 5 days my daughter came home as a more confident person filled with new skills and photos, stories, memories to share with us, her cousin and close friends. And she is ready to apply for more courses offered by the Outward Bound Trust. As a parent I can say it was a precious time for her. Speaking honestly, the October experience for her and us as a family was one of the best while living in the UK. Friendly adults and teenagers spending time together building personal strengths and memories which can be shared.
“The Ullswater facility is amazing, offering a journey into the good past, like being transferred nearly a century back into a place filled with natural beauty, tranquillity and devoted carers. Far away from the noise, pollution and problems of the modern world my daughter enjoyed learning, training and going beyond her comfort zone. The instructors represent overwhelming manners. It was a pleasure to have had quick conversations with them. I am grateful and thankful for Niamh’s openness, kindness and welcoming attitude. I truly cannot express my gratitude for that. I am impressed and grateful that Simple Life is cooperating with the Outward Bound Trust. The both institutions seem to be run and managed by people whose aims go further than cold calculated profits reflected only in money. My daughter and our family have brought experience, skills and memories which cannot be exchanged into any currency. And I would like to express my gratitude for that opportunity. Many, many thanks.
“For our family the Ullswater trips were unforgettable. We have fallen in love with the Lake District. Going there and home we visited many inspirational places which we would like to explore in the future.”
