The project will give the students a first hand experience of the natural environment. It will increase their understanding of the countryside around them, increase their confidence to explore a new environment, and it will provide a residential experience to help develop much needed social skills. FSC has received funding from BIG Lottery and BBC Children in Need to run these courses for over 100 young people in Wales. FSC wishes to extend this opportunity to VI young people in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. FSC has developed expertise in working with VI young people in a challenging outdoor environment and within a residential course setting. To date our partners have been Wales Council for the Blind and Action for Blind who have worked closely with FSC, bringing groups of VI young people from existing youth groups, community groups or schools to FSC courses at our Field Centres in Pembrokeshire and North Wales. Project outcomes have included: • Increased understanding and experience of the natural environment • Increased confidence to enter and explore new and unfamiliar locations • Increased social skills amongst young people who are often socially ‘over protected’ • Development of experience and teaching skills to work with visually impaired children which will remain for future use • Equipment and resources collated for current and future use eg Braille/relief mapping Amount £96k would allow 100 VI young people to attend courses over a 3 year period