Peak District Survival School is dedicated to inspiring young people through outdoor learning experiences that build confidence, resilience, and curiosity beyond the classroom. Working with schools across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, their mission is simple but powerful: to change routines, challenge the “norm”, and open doors to opportunities many young people might never otherwise experience.

Before accessing UKSPF funding, the organisation faced a practical but significant barrier to growth. Many younger staff members did not hold a D1 category on their driving licence, which is required to transport groups of young people. The cost and perceived lack of financial reward meant staff were reluctant to gain this qualification.

Without additional qualified drivers, Peak District Survival School’s ability to transport young people directly from schools to outdoor learning locations was restricted limiting access for those who would benefit most.

UKSPF funding enabled the business to invest in targeted training, supporting a staff member to gain the necessary driving qualification.

As a result, Peak District Survival School now has an additional fully qualified driver who can both deliver high-quality instruction and transport young people safely to outdoor locations that were previously inaccessible.

This practical investment removed a key logistical barrier and unlocked new opportunities for schools and students alike.

The impact has been transformative not just for the organisation, but for the thousands of young people it supports each year.

“In some schools or places, people do the same routine every day: get up, get dressed, school, clubs, home, eat, bed. This is the life of some in Stoke-on-Trent we break that cycle and widen horizons.”

Peak District Survival School now works with around 8,000 children every year, helping them step outside everyday routines, experience new environments, and gain skills that build confidence and independence. Year on year, it becomes easier to engage children, support aspiration, and encourage them to see possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings.