Finalist: Outsider in Diversity and Inclusion

Bringing shortlisted as a finalist for an award is fantastic, but so much more so given the calibre of the other nominees:

• Bridge the Gap is an amazing initiative to promote women’s involvement in paddle sports in Ireland, both as participants but also as leaders within the sport.
• Trail Criú is a trail-running club rooted in kindness and inclusivity that welcomes asylum seekers, migrants, and Irish residents together to share the transformative power of nature and community.
• Open Spectrum is a popular parent-run activities club for children and young adults who are on the autistic spectrum in South Dublin.
• The Able Active app and project was set up to close the sometimes large gaps of accessibility information for people with disabilities, especially when it comes to outdoor spaces.
• Clare Local Development Company and Clare Sports Partnership have developed an innovative digital system using 360-degree video, 3D drone mapping, and app-based tools to enhance trail accessibility for users with disabilities.
• Roam Wild launched a series of autism and ADHD-friendly rock climbing sessions this year to encourage and support the unique needs of neurodivergent participants.
• Nature Therapy Ireland – led by Sarah Hourigan – has been doing amazing work with Vision Sports Ireland and Vision Ireland to reconnect blind and vision impaired people with nature
• HerMoves.ie is an empowering national campaign created by Sport Ireland to inspire teenage girls to embrace physical activity and sport in ways that are engaging, fun, and social.
• Crosscare – an Irish youth organization with a dedicated team of twelve outdoor education specialists – is using the power of nature to connect with young people from mainstream backgrounds to those involved in crime and trauma, fostering growth and change through outdoor learning.
• Safe Haven Ireland is a trailblazing organisation founded in 2015, offering transformative sailing opportunities to young people aged 15–21.
• Irish Sailing is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation, welcoming everyone irrespective of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, race, minority community, or disability.

The Diversity & Inclusion Award sponsored by Sport Ireland shines a spotlight on individuals and groups who are breaking barriers and making the outdoors accessible to all. We all know how transformative and life-changing the outdoors can be and these organisations want everyone, regardless of circumstances, to be able to feel this too.

Read the full article on https://outsider.ie/outsider-awards/outdoor-diversity-inclusion-2024