National campaign launches during Mental Health Awareness Week to turn donations into real adventure hours. 

Somerset and Wiltshire-based charity the Youth Adventure Trust is calling on the public to help unlock 10,000 hours of outdoor adventure for vulnerable young people across Somerset and Wiltshire this summer.

Launching on Monday 12 May, to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, the charity's Unlocking Adventure campaign invites supporters to donate towards real, life-changing activities that will take place over the summer holidays. Every £4.63 unlocks one hour of supervised outdoor experience - giving a young person the chance to build resilience and promote positive mental well-being through being outside.

Mark Davey, Chief Executive at the Youth Adventure Trust, said: "If you have ever spent time outdoors - walking, camping, doing activities - then you will know how powerful it can be. Every hour spent outside, funded through Unlocking Adventures, will give a young person the chance to realise they can achieve more than they think they can.

"Many of the young people who come to us are struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, or challenging home lives. They need support, positive role models and a chance to discover their own potential. The support of our dedicated programme managers, volunteers and the backdrop of outdoor activities provide exactly that. At a time when many families face increasing challenges, this campaign allows us to open up the outdoors as a powerful space to inspire young people, providing experiences they wouldn't be able to access without the Youth Adventure Trust."

The Youth Adventure Trust is a youth development charity working with vulnerable young people aged 11 to 16 years old from Somerset and Wiltshire. Its long-term programmes combine outdoor adventure and one-to-one support to empower young people to fulfil their potential, with all programmes provided free of charge to those who are nominated by schools and other youth organisations.

From 12 May 2025, the Youth Adventure Trust encourages supporters to donate as many hours as they can afford, with an hours' worth of life-changing adventure costing as little as £4.63. Each hour donated will open the opportunity for children to take part in supervised activities such as:

• Cliff Climbing- two hours
• £9.26 could unlock a cliff climbing session on the Resilience Programme, giving a young person the chance to learn how to trust others
• Mountain Expedition - six hours
• Donate £27.78 and you could unlock a Mountain Expedition on Mountain Camp, a chance for young people to develop self-belief and build resilience.
• Overnight Forest Bivvy - 12 hours
• A gift of £55.56 could give a young person the chance to go on an overnight adventure in the woods, building their own shelter, cooking on a camp fire and learning how to overcome challenges.

Bradley, age 14, who has been through the Youth Adventure Trust's Adventure Programme, comments: "Without the Youth Adventure Trust, I would have lost my shine. When I started the Programme I wasn't in the best place mentally. Going away and having the experiences I had really put the light back into my life. It made me realise that bad days are just that, bad days. And without them, good days wouldn't be as good."

The charity is encouraging individuals, schools, businesses and community groups to get involved and donate as many hours as they can. Every contribution brings the 10,000 hour target closer - and helps a young person unlock their full potential.

To learn more about the campaign and donate hours to be used this summer click here