The Head Outside Awards

The Head Outside Awards honour the individuals and organisations who use the outdoors to improve people’s wellbeing. Through their compelling stories, we’re reminded of the healing power of nature and the even greater strength we can find in each other.

These stories help us connect, reminding us that we’re not alone in what we face. They break the silence around mental health, showing that through the outdoors, we can overcome stigma and find healing, growth and kinship. The captivating stories shared at the Head Outside Awards are authentic, powerful, and show how connecting with the outdoors can lead to transformation.

Head Outside Awards 2024

The Awards are taking a pause in 2026

After three inspiring years, the Head Outside Awards are taking a hiatus in 2026. This pause gives us time to find a new home and build the funding and sponsorship needed to give the Awards a strong, sustainable future.

The purpose remains unchanged: to celebrate the people, communities and organisations using the outdoors to improve mental health, spark honest conversations and help others feel less alone.

Our award categories

  • Outstanding Organisation

  • Outstanding Community

  • Outstanding Media Initiative or Campaign

  • Wellbeing Warrior

  • Changemaker

  • Sam Hill Shining Star

Help us bring the Awards back

We are looking for a welcoming new home, funding partners and values-led sponsors who share our belief in the power of the outdoors, storytelling and human connection.

Support could help us stage the event, create bursaries for finalists, capture and share more powerful stories, and make the Awards more accessible.

If you can offer a venue, funding, sponsorship or a partnership, we would love to hear from you.

Four years ago Kendal Mountain Festival gave the Head Outside Awards a home when we were just an idea. Without them, none of this would exist. We are genuinely, deeply grateful. But we have a had to make a very difficult decision. One we haven&rsquo
Your 2025 Head Outside Award Winners This year’s winners reflect the many ways the outdoors can change lives. They stood out because of their commitment to real, practical impact. Some broke new ground in storytelling and media. Some built com
Before we share the winners of the 2025 Head Outside Awards, we feel it is important to highlight what these awards were created for. The Head Outside Awards celebrate the people who use the outdoors to improve mental health in a genuine and meaningf
The finalists for the Head Outside Awards 2025 have been chosen. These awards celebrate the people and projects showing what the outdoors can do for our mental health. This year’s nominations were full of heart, and narrowing them down was far
✨ We have a venue, date and time ✨ The Head Outside Awards 2025 will take place at the Kendal Mountain Festival ⛺️ 📅 Saturday 22 November 2025 🕘 09:45 to 10:45 📍 YETI Yurt Basecamp 📝 Nominations are open until 1 October Anyone can apply: indivi
I realised I posted the pictures of the winners, but not of the 2024 Head Outside Awards. These pictures encapsulate the heart of the Head Outside Awards. Raw emotion. Powerful storytelling. Inspiring people. Beautiful people. Leaders we need in this
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Previous winners

Celebrating the people and organisations recognised for using the outdoors to improve mental health and wellbeing. Category names have evolved over the years.

2025

• White Fox Talking: Outstanding Media Initiative
• Rebecca Dawson: Changemaker Award
• Come Outside: Outstanding Community Award
• Nicola Wager: Wellbeing Warrior Award
• Millimetres to Mountains: Outstanding Organisation
• Georgia Carmichael: Inspirational Individual
• Marcus Skeet (The Hull Boy): Sam Hill Shining Star Award

2024

• Free to Be Kids: Outstanding Organisation
• Made Running: Outstanding Community
• Happy Confident Kids: Changemaker
• Nick Wilson, The Disabled Adventurer: Wellbeing Warrior
• Siddrah Aslam, Climb Muz: Inspirational Individual
• The Sunnywood Project: People’s Award
• Frances Vigay: Sam Hill Shining Star
• The Wallich: Social Prescribing Award

2023

• Jamie’s Farm: Outstanding Organisation
• Blue Mind Men: Ways to Wellbeing
• Adventure Queens: Changemaker
• Alex Staniforth, Mind Over Mountains: Wellbeing Warrior
• Bridget Adams-Shaw, Honey Hope Farm: Inspiring Individual
• Marlon Patrice, We Go Outside Too: Sam Hill Rising Sta

2022

• The Wave Project: Outstanding Organisation
• World Challenge: Changemaker
• Blackdog Outdoors: Ways to Wellbeing
• Jessica Robson: Wellbeing Warrior
• Rachel Ashe: Inspiring Individual
• 3 Dads Walking: Sam Hill Memorial