Why Women-Only Training Matters

Look at the statistics for high-level professional outdoor qualifications in the UK, and a clear pattern emerges: the higher the qualification, the fewer women you’ll find. From Mountain Leaders to Paddle Instructors, the gender gap in the outdoors remains a significant hurdle to true representation.

At Love Her Wild CIC our core mission has always been to build confidence and outdoors skills amongst women. We don’t just want to see more women in the outdoors though, we want to see more women leading in the outdoors. As a UK-wide non-profit community, we are actively breaking down these barriers through targeted leadership development for women.

The Power of the Female-Centered Training Space

For many women, the barrier to leadership isn’t about a lack of skill. In traditional, often male-dominated environments, many women feel the pressure to be perfect, in order to prove they belong.

By offering women-only outdoor skills training, we remove that pressure. Our inclusive outdoor projects create a space where:

• Questions can be asked without judgment.
• Failure is accepted as an important part of the learning process.
• Supportive group environments replace competition.

Investing in Our Volunteers: Fully Funded Hill and Moorland Training

We are incredibly proud to offer fully funded Hill and Moorland Leader training for some of our dedicated volunteers.

Cost can be a significant barrier to the outdoors. By removing the financial burden of Mountain Training qualifications, we are ensuring that outdoor leadership isn’t just for those with disposable income. We are investing in our team so they can lead our regional outdoor meetups with confidence, safety, and expertise.

Furthermore, undertaking these qualifications requires a significant time commitment, often taking several years to complete. By creating a supportive team environment, with options for additional training days and mentorships, the team are dedicated to completing their assessment together and within a specified time frame.

These funded training opportunities would not have been possible without the support of our partners – Berghaus and YHA England & Wales, and our Community Fundraising efforts.

Building the Pipeline: Outdoor Skills Courses for the Love Her Wild Community

Leadership doesn’t start with a professional certificate; it starts with the very first time a woman picks up a compass or a paddle.

Through our skills-based courses available to women in the Love Her Wild community, we are building a “pipeline” of future leaders. Even if you’re right at the start of mastering your navigation skills, these experiences provide the foundations and confidence needed to take the next step. We are proud to offer affordable outdoor training that proves women are more than capable of being the person in charge.

As we further establish ourselves as a trusted platform to facilitate outdoor skills training for women, we will continue to build on the range and level of courses available, advancing through the stages of Navigation and Leadership. Our aim will be to provide a learning pathway for those women undertaking courses, to attain advanced-level outdoor qualifications with us.

Why this Matters for the UK Outdoor Community

When a woman sees a leader who looks like her, the “impossible” becomes “attainable.” By increasing the number of qualified female outdoor leaders, we are:

1. Diversifying the Outdoors: Making the hills and rivers feel like they belong to everyone.
2. Enhancing Safety: Professional training leads to safer, more inclusive outdoor experiences.
3. Community Impact: Our volunteers don’t just lead walks; they build the friendships that form the heart of our non-profit mission.

Love Her Wild is committed to providing the support, funding, and opportunities to make the outdoors truly accessible. As an award-winning outdoor community, we aren’t just following the trail—we’re part of a movement leading the way.

Fiona Orrell – Director of Love Her Wild CIC