Since 2022, the Focus Foundation has generously match-funded one Ignite programme per year for children and young people in Moray. Delivered by Outfit Moray through their EnerG strand, the Ignite programme supports young people aged 11–16 who are struggling to find direction in their lives.
About Outfit Moray
Outfit Moray is an award-winning charity dedicated to changing lives through outdoor learning and adventure. Their mission is to support the personal development of children and young people across Moray, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged. By providing opportunities to experience challenge, build confidence, and connect with nature, they help young people unlock their potential and develop the resilience needed for life’s challenges.
Working closely with local schools and community organisations, Outfit Moray identified the growing issue of disengagement from school and education. Ignite was created to address this challenge by providing meaningful opportunities for growth, learning, and resilience.
Each programme supports 8 young people through a structured but flexible 8-week journey, with two days of adventurous outdoor learning per week. Activities focus on:
- Practical, hands-on skills
- Leadership and teamwork
- Positive risk-taking
- Learning beyond the classroom
With support from the Focus Foundation, Outfit Moray has now delivered three Ignite programmes in primary and secondary schools across Moray, helping young people re-engage with learning, discover their potential, and develop resilience for life’s challenges.
Measurable Impact
Thanks to the Focus Foundation and Outfit Moray’s dedicated team, there’s been real, positive change in the lives of young people:
- Wellbeing & Inclusion: 94% had fun, 87% felt happier, 87% felt included
- Skills & Confidence: 53% increased confidence, 47% gained practical skills, 27% improved teamwork
- Safety Awareness: 33% reported greater awareness of risk
These results highlight the vital role of Outfit Moray’s inclusive, nature-based activities in improving wellbeing, building life skills, and preparing young people for the future.
Stories of Change
Case Study 1 – LA
At the start of the programme, LA often held himself back, showing a defeatist attitude and lashing out when frustrated. With Outfit Moray’s support, he learned new coping mechanisms and began to understand the value of persistence, even with less desirable tasks. By the end of the programme, he was regulating his emotions far better and his school reported a marked improvement in his behaviour.
Case Study 2: SJ
SJ began the programme shy and withdrawn, lacking the confidence to join conversations. With encouragement from Outfit Moray’s instructors, she stepped up during climbing sessions, taking the lead in route selection. Reaching the top marked a turning point for her confidence. By the final session, she had become one of the group’s most vocal and engaged members, showing a remarkable boost in self-esteem and peer interactions.
Looking Ahead: The Next Three Years
Following three successful years, we are thrilled to announce that the Focus Foundation has committed another three years of funding for the Ignite programme, run by Outfit Moray.
This multi-year support allows Outfit Moray to:
- Plan further ahead
- Reach young people most in need at the right time
- Strengthen partnerships with local schools.
Disengagement among 14–16-year-olds remains a national challenge, with up to one-third at risk of leaving education early. While Moray has made progress, barriers such as poverty, mental health, and limited local opportunities still affect many vulnerable young people.
With school budgets under increasing pressure, programmes like Ignite are often out of reach. Thanks to the Focus Foundation’s grant, Outfit Moray can continue offering this life-changing programme at no cost to schools or families, ensuring more young people across Moray have the chance to thrive.
To learn more about Outfit Moray and their programmes, please visit their website: Outdoor Learning and Adventure Activities with Outfit Moray charity.
