Entrepreneur launches The Adventure Foundation to help people in financial hardship to experience the outdoors.
A north Wales based entrepreneur has just launched The Adventure Foundation to help families, groups or individuals to experience nature and the outdoors if they’re living in financial hardship. Jason Rawles, 45, CEO and Founder or The Aspire Leadership Academy and Aspire Adventures explains why this is so important.
“As a child I thankfully found the Air Training Corps and as part of that took part in lots of adventure training and the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme. I realised, even then, that the outdoors was a place to have fun, get away from challenging aspects in life, make friends and stretch my personal boundaries. All of these have helped in later life.”
Jason grew up in a council estate in St Albans and moved to north Wales 7yrs ago to start a business that helps people, businesses, charities and organisations to achieve and aspire while building effective leadership and high performing teams.
“So many kids, young adults and families could really benefit from time in nature and making some wonderful memories. Everything costs money though which a lot of people won’t have especially during the turbulent times of Covid. Adventure is still quite a privileged space because travel, kit, food etc. doesn’t come cheap. I was really fortunate that while our family didn’t have much money, my Mum and immediate relatives did scrimp and save for me and the cadets created a superb environment for me to explore” explains Jason.
With the above in mind, Jason has launched The Adventure Foundation which will be offering grants to help people, families or groups to do something adventurous. There is no stipulation on the type of adventure. It could be taking kids to the beach, a walk with friends to help with mental health or go towards something bigger.
The first of the grant processes will open in January 2021 and they plan offer ten lots of £250 to start with which will be delivered in March after application reviews. There is no obligation within it all. No requirement for things like tagging on social media and it’s all confidential.
The Adventure Foundation is solely funded by The Aspire Leadership Academy and Aspire Adventures and the grand vision is to help hundreds of people each year to experience something wonderful in the outdoors when costs would have been too prohibitive to do so.
Jason details some more – “There is a lot of evidence on the internet about how nature can heal. Being outdoors can clear your headspace, help with mental and physical wellbeing, create bonds with people and help reduce stress. It’s also a space where families can make amazing memories away from the concrete jungles and technology that keeps people inside. That’s a lot of benefit and I hope that via The Adventure Foundation we can start a ripple of positivity and make the world a better place, one adventure at a time.”
You can find out more about the application process and timeframes via www.adventure-foundation.com.