Improving self-confidence through nature

We spoke to Liveryman Alistair McAuley about his many years of charitable work and fundraising for the Outward Bound Trust.

Interacting with nature and spending time outdoors is proven to help young people develop valuable new skills and grow in confidence, as well as tackling mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

 That’s why Alistair McAuley, Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants, has been supporting the Outward Bound Trust for well over a decade, both by fundraising and donating his own time to mentor and support young people.

The Outward Bound Trust (OBT) is an educational charity that was first established in 1946. Its mission is to inspire young people aged 10-22 to believe they can achieve more than they ever thought possible, through discovery and adventure courses in the UK’s wildest mountains and landscapes.

OBT partners with schools, colleges, employers and youth groups to run courses at residential centres in the Lake District, North Wales and the Highlands, translating experiences in the mountains, sea, lakes and rivers into lessons for life. Through a bursary programme, courses are open to all young people regardless of their financial circumstances.

Alistair first learned about OBT when he was working at AkzoNobel, which was also a supporter of the Trust. In 2021 Alistair left that business to set up TradeKart, but has continued to support the Trust’s work.

Over the years, Alistair has participated in a huge number of fundraising events, as well as OBT’s Mentoring programme, and has been involved in raising well over £1 million for charity. He has participated in the London Revolution cycle event, cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats (and back again!) and, last year, the TradeKart team ran the London Marathon, with all proceeds going to OBT.

Alistair explains: “Much of the fundraising we’ve done previously has gone to the development of the residential centres, by providing equipment and funding new coaching facilities. It’s amazing to see the impact that these courses have on the young people. As an example, we hosted a school from inner city Birmingham and one of the young girls had never seen the sea or a sheep before. Just to witness that moment was really powerful.

“We always see a remarkable improvement in the confidence of the young people who attend the courses as they learn new skills, step out of their comfort zones and tackle the challenges we set for them.”

Alistair is continuing to support OBT through TradeKart because he strongly believes in the work of the Trust. So much so that his own daughter has been on the courses. And, in September, he and his daughter will be joining together to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, again to raise funds for the Trust.

“I believe that OBT is a really relevant cause, especially post-pandemic, which has had such a significant impact on young people,” Alistair continues. “We believe it’s so important to help people grow their confidence. It was wonderful to have seen the benefits it offered my own daughter, and now to be able to give back with her as well.”

Also this year, Alistair will be hosting a charity Golf Day, as well as many other fundraising events. To celebrate Clean Air Day on 20 June, TradeKart will plant a tree for every delivery it makes.

Alistair explains: “I think businesses have a responsibility to invest in communities, no matter what that looks like, whether it’s at a local or national level. We’ve chosen an area that really means something to us; at TradeKart we’re supporting the next generation of tradespeople and bringing technology to builders’ merchants, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to help young people through Outward Bound Trust and support them in getting careers in the construction industry. I firmly believe it’s our responsibility to give something back.”

You can learn more about the Outward Bound Trust at www.outwardbound.org.uk