Residential weekends for visually impaired children and young people
Ellen from The Outlook Trust, who are a charity providing residential weekends in the Lake District for visually impaired children and young people aged 7 to 18, has got in contact with Galloways to reach as many young people as possible.
Below is Ellen’s story about her experience with the Trust.
Why the Outlook Trust Will Change Your Outlook
More Than Just Outdoor Activities
The Outlook Trust provides outdoor activity weekends in the Lake District for visually impaired children and young people. That is a basic definition of The Outlook Trust, but it is so much more.
Finding Belonging at 12
I began attending weekends with The Outlook Trust when I was around 12 years old and instantly felt better connected to other blind children. It was such a safe haven for someone like me, who attended a mainstream primary and secondary school where I was the only pupil with a visual impairment. From that first weekend, I was desperate to go back again and again—pretty unusual for an introverted 12-year-old!
Building Confidence, One Adventure at a Time
Over the years, I slowly but surely grew in confidence. Not just in my abilities—like rock climbing, zip wiring, and kayaking—but also in myself. I started to believe that I wasn’t alone in my struggles. Because as most blind people know, the feeling of isolation can be overwhelming. No number of online groups can replace that real-world connection and the reminder that our community is wide, welcoming, and supportive.
From Lost Passion to Rediscovered Purpose
Before I lost my sight, I was adventurous, excited, and passionate. Losing my vision felt like losing all of that too. The hobbies and after-school clubs I once loved suddenly felt out of reach, and disability-focused groups didn’t quite “get” my experience. That all changed when my parents found The Outlook Trust. Even though many of us didn’t live in Cumbria, the staff did their best to make sure we could attend.
Freedom to Be Myself
As a child, I often felt like I had no freedom or independence—and that was frustrating. The Outlook Trust gave that back to me. It’s a place where blind children can safely explore their passions and discover what independence really means, all in a space that understands and supports them.
A Life Transformed
It’s safe to say the person I was before The Outlook Trust is unrecognisable to me now. Thanks to them, my outlook—on life, on myself, on what’s possible—has completely changed.
