Image via Outscape

Outscape’s 2025 Annual Conference Together Outdoors: Working Towards Inclusion on March 7, 2025, at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, is aiming to shed light on the inequalities and under-represented groups in the outdoors.

The benefits of spending time in the outdoors is well documented, however, Outscape’s People in the Outdoors Monitor for Northern Ireland research (POMNI) highlighted certain groups in society who are less likely to engage in outdoor recreation. Those with a disability or a long-term illness, those living in a rural location and the impact of deprivation are highlighted within the study. These findings have motivated Outscape to raise awareness and to take action to ensure the outdoors are more inclusive and accessible in the future.

Caro-lynne Ferris, Director of Outscape commented “Inclusion and accessibility has always been an important element in our work and we now have the data to support our approach. The conference will aim to raise awareness of the inequalities in the outdoors through providing a range of inspirational speakers, learning and lived experiences”.

The day will be hosted by Joanne Murphy, international sports announcer, with Anita-Kerwin Nye from WWT as Keynote speaker. Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust will share the work of the National Trust within their Inclusion and Diversity Report while Disability Sport Northern Ireland will provide practical guidance on designing accessible outdoor places for outdoor recreation.

For the full programme of speakers and to book your ticket to this one-day event, please visit

https://www.out-scape.com/training/together-outdoors-conference

Or email Kerry Kirkpatrick at kerry@out-scape.com

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