Introduction
Outdoor Citizens is a free membership community.
It's made up of small charities, not-for-profit groups and organisations that are working to support more people to access the outdoors – hosted and administered by YHA (England & Wales).
Outdoor Citizens members and YHA share a common aim: to make the outdoors accessible for everyone. If this sounds like you, then please come and join us. It’s 100% free.
Illustrations by Dr Penelope Mendonça for Outside Voices
© Penelope Mendonça 2021
Benefits for members
Member benefits
YHA are supporting and resourcing the work of Outdoor Citizens members through a range of benefits.
Apply to join
How to join
Membership of Outdoor Citizens is completely free.
Eligibility to join is based on shared aims to achieve equity, diversity and inclusion in the outdoors. If this sounds like you, please apply to join our community.
Funding available
Funding
We work with funders to connect Outdoor Citizens members with grants.
If you are interested in applying for funding for your work, please email [email protected] with a brief description of your plans. Funding is only available to members – it’s free and easy to join.
The kinds of things we secure funding for are:
- Activity that increases participation of local community groups in outdoor activity, and/or supports the resilience and capacity of grassroots groups to continue their work.
- Activities that build nature connection and/or activities that support the recovery and care of nature.
- Funding for collaborations and partnerships that can support long lasting systemic change for a more inclusive and accessible outdoors.
Funding provider
Funding opportunities and funding resources
In partnership with All the Elements.
This new resource includes funding opportunities relevant for those working on diversity in the UK Outdoors, as well as a further resources on things like alternative income streams, funding models and applying for grants.
This is a bespoke resource for groups and individuals working on diversity in the UK Outdoors. It has been designed with the support of Sport England in partnership with YHA Outdoor Citizens and All the Elements.
YHA Breaks Programme
Does your community group work with young people? The YHA Breaks Programme can provide fully and part-funded trips for groups of young people and groups of families facing challenges that make travel and adventure difficult to access.
If you are an Outdoor Citizens member interested in applying for this fund please get in touch.
Outdoor Citizens community
Join a growing community
Our community consists of small outdoor charities, not-for-profit groups and organisations. If you’d like to join the below members (and many more), complete our application form – you’ll be in great company.
Community logos
Adventure Queens
Adventure Queens
Become United
Become United
Black Trail Runners
Black Trail Runners
Curious School of the Wild
Curious School of the Wild
Love Her Wild
Love Her Wild
Peak Queer Adventures
Peak Queer Adventures
Rewilding Youth
Rewilding Youth
Surfability
Surfability
The Outdoor Partnership
The Outdoor Partnership
United We Climb
United We Climb
The Wanderlust Women
The Wanderlust Women
Woodcraft Folk
Woodcraft Folk
Networking opportunities
Community support and networking
Members of Outdoor Citizens have access to online and face-to-face events. These events are in response to what members tell us they need. They are co-designed with members and typically free to attend. Past events include The Outdoor Connection 2022, the Resilient Communities Series and The Outdoor Connection 2024.
We’re committed to tackling some of the ‘big outdoor barriers’ like access to transport and kit. We're doing this by bringing together community groups, brands and big system partners to design practical solutions.
There is a wealth of expertise and skill in the Outdoor Citizens membership community. We recognise and value that and will always seek funding to pay experts for their time.
Once your membership has been agreed you will be sent a link to join the closed Facebook group. This is the place to connect with other members for learning, ideas and partnership opportunities.
Why is Outdoor Citizens needed?
Why is this community needed?
- The UK outdoors is not diverse in participation and workforce. Outdoor Citizens members are working hard to address this in their own communities.
- Starting a new group with limited resources can be challenging. Many groups are run by volunteers. Writing funding bids takes time and positioning your work to appeal to funders isn’t always easy. The outdoors is full of lingo, tradition, spaces and facilities that can be exclusive and inaccessible.
- YHA and their partners want to use their resource and influence so Outdoor Citizens can more easily access the things they need to continue their work. And to make sure that barriers are removed permanently by challenging systems and processes, and amplifying the work of grassroots groups.
- YHA wants to learn from Outdoor Citizens to make their own services more inclusive and continue to focus on their ‘all means all’ priority.
- Outdoor Citizens is a place for practitioners to access practical things, influence change and connect with others to help each other grow.
Outdoor Citizens news
News and events
If you have a story or event that you would like us to consider sharing, please email [email protected].
'I failed to see people like me enjoying the outdoors'
Long standing Outdoor Citizens members set up a hiking community centred around global majority community to encourage greater confidence outdoors...
Outdoor Connection Weekend in Ilam
Last weekend felt like one of those rare, golden moments where everything aligned — glorious weather, inspiring people, and a truly stunning location. Set in the heart of the Peak District National Park, the village...
Save The Date - The Outdoor Connection 2026
The Outdoor Connection is a face-to-face event bringing together community leaders who are working to support access to nature and the outdoors. Building on the success of our 2022, 2024 and 2025 events, we’re delighted to...
Life Beyond the Crossroads: Finding Clarity in the Peaks
In mid-September, ten women arrived at YHA Edale in the heart of the Peak District for the first ever Life Beyond the Crossroads – a weekend of walking, reflection and reconnection designed for...
Muslim Hikers give back to nature with tree planting at 3rd annual ramadan retreat
As part of our 3rd Annual Ramadan Retreat, Muslim Hikers partnered with the Peak District National Trust to plant trees, contributing to the restoration and...
Our first Getting into Hiking programme - a great success!
Earlier this year we launched our Getting into Hiking programme for 12 women new to/returning to hiking. The programme targeted women who felt unable to join existing community walks...
Outdoor Citizens: how we’re supporting their community
We believe everyone’s happier outside, which is why free events like YHA's Festival of Walking are so important. It’s a chance to bring walkers from all backgrounds, cultures, genders and locations...
Gratitude attitude
In the past few months we have been so grateful for donations from friends, organisations and companies, to support the work that we do to ensure that we can all have good outdoor lives. There are many barriers...
Supporting partners
We’re always on the lookout for partners and funders who are committed to making the outdoors more accessible. Does your organisation have something to add to the Outdoor Citizens membership offer? Please email our team directly.
Community logos
Cotswold Outdoor
Natural England
Pilgrim Trust
Sport England
Merrell
Development partners
Our development partners have a central role in the creation and design of Outdoor Citizens and its continued delivery, ensuring that it can achieve its intended aims and objectives.
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All the Elements