Fieldfare Kielder Challenge

The Fieldfare Kielder Challenge

In our work to encourage access to the countryside we sometimes saw that disabled people were seen as unable to venture into the wider countryside and not able to experience the challenges and benefits of their able bodied peers.  It was this misconception that drove us to start the Kielder Challenge 23 years ago.

The main objectives of the Fieldfare Trust are to encourage, promote and facilitate greater understanding, enjoyment and integration in the countryside of those that are disabled or disadvantaged in the pursuit of countryside recreation or environmental education opportunities.

The Fieldfare Kielder Challenge meets all those objectives and has sought to enable a wider range of disabled young people to experience and respond to adventure and challenge in the great outdoors.  Rather than treating disabled youngsters as passive recipients of experiences this project works on the basis that everyone, even though they may use a wheelchair or have restricted vision, can benefit from the thrill of overcoming testing problems in a rugged, natural environment.

The Challenge does not accept that disabled young people are not capable of venturing into the wider countryside and just as their non disabled friends they can relish such opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.  The approach of the Challenge specifically builds on the strengths all young people have to work together to face and overcome challenges.  The mixed teams of youngsters with and without disabilities learn much about each other through cooperative interaction in the outdoor environment and the problems it presents.  Most importantly the competition integrates team members so that they can all contribute according to their individual abilities.

The Fieldfare Trust has been managing the Fieldfare Kielder Challenge for over 23 years and most of the lasting memories are of fun, friendships and personal growth the youngsters have gained from their participation.  These are essential ingredients of the whole project even though it is a serious and hard fought competition.  The Fieldfare Kielder Challenge provides equal access, not just to outdoor environments but to opportunities and experiences they can provide.

Over 15,000 children have experienced the Challenge since we started.  Participation has changed the lives of many, not only the children but also the hundreds of volunteers who help make the event a success.  For further information on the Fieldfare Kielder Challenge and how you can get involved as a school or as a volunteer please visit our new website  www.fieldfarekielderchallenge.org.uk

Contact the Fieldfare Kielder Challenge:

Fieldfare Kielder Challenge
Volunteer House
69 Crossgate
Cupar
Fife
KY15 5AS

Tel: 01334 657708
Fax: 0844 4431139
Email: kielder.challenge@fieldfare.org.uk

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