MP challenges ministers to support outdoor learning after closure of Girlguiding activity centre

In Parliament today, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron encouraged ministers to fund schools to give every young person an outdoor education experience.

It comes after Girlguiding UK closed its five activity centres last month, including Waddow Hall in Lancashire which was used by Girlguiding groups in South Cumbria.

Last week, Tim present a Private Members’ Bill which would make residential outdoor learning part of the school curriculum.

Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Future Girlguiding in British Overseas Territories, Tim said: “In June, in the same announcement that Girlguiding made over its desire to sell its centres in overseas territories, it announced that it would sell five centres in the UK including Waddow Hall in Lancashire, where many young people from my communities in Cumbria have enjoyed outdoor learning experiences.

“The Waddow Hall Trust is seeking to keep Waddow Hall as an outdoor education centre.

“Expanding access to outdoor education for all young people at primary and secondary school could be a real lifeline for centres such as Waddow Hall.”

Responding, the Minister responsible for Civil Society and Youth, Stuart Andrew said: “In 2022, we committed to the national youth guarantee with an investment of more than £500 million to ensure that by 2025, every young person in England will have access to regular clubs, activities, adventures away from home and opportunities to volunteer.

“The aims of the guarantee are ambitious; to achieve them, we are investing in programmes such as the youth investment fund, the National Citizen Service, the Duke of Edinburgh award, the #iwill campaign and uniformed youth groups, in addition to supporting the sector workforce and strengthening the evidence base.”