- WWF and The Outdoor Guide Foundation are scaling up their partnership for a second year to ensure no child misses out on time in nature, providing more essential outdoor clothing to schools across the UK.
- Following an initial donation of 640 kits in 2025, a further 1000 sets of waterproofs and wellies will be distributed to 100 schools – tackling inequality in nature access and enabling outdoor learning and play, whatever the weather.
- The partnership is part of WWF’s Happy By Nature programme, aiming to bring nature to 1 million primary school children by 2028.
Environmental charity WWF has again teamed up with The Outdoor Guide Foundation, co‑founded by Julia Bradbury, to expand the reach of ‘Waterproofs & Wellies’ and help more children experience the wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature by providing essential outdoor clothing.
From 15 October, WWF will work with The Outdoor Guide Foundation to provide 1,000 sets of waterproofs and wellies kits to 100 primary schools across the UK – tackling inequality in nature access and ensuring children can enjoy outdoor learning and play whatever the weather.
In 2025, WWF supported the distribution of 640 kits to 64 schools. This autumn, the partnership is scaling up as part of WWF’s Happy By Nature programme, which aims to bring nature to 1 million primary school children by 2028. By removing practical barriers such as a lack of suitable clothing, WWF and The Outdoor Guide Foundation hope to help more children experience the wellbeing and learning benefits of time in nature every day.
Nationally, 4.5 million children were living in poverty after housing costs in 2023/2024, around 31% of all children or roughly nine in every class of 30. For these families, waterproofs and wellies are often out of reach and many children miss outdoor lessons and play on wet days becuase they lack the right kit.
Research from Natural England’s Natural Connections project found 92% of teachers reported pupils were more engaged outdoors and 85% saw improved behaviour. With 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8 to 25 now having probable mental health struggles, research shows that regular time outdoors is a practical part of healthier childhoods.
Jon Turner, Head of Schools & Education at WWF-UK said: “We know that time in nature boosts children’s wellbeing, confidence and learning – but many pupils, especially in lower‑income communities, face barriers that keep them indoors. Schools want to take children outside more often, but they need the right support to make it possible.”
“That’s why continuing our partnership with The Outdoor Guide Foundation is so important. By providing essential clothing and practical help, we’re enabling schools to unlock the power of nature for every pupil, every day.”
Gina Bradbury Fox, Director of The Outdoor Guide Foundation, said: “Outdoor learning and play should never depend on whether a family can afford waterproofs. Here in Manchester you can see exactly what removing that barrier does; children who were watching from the window are now out in the rain with their friends. Backing from WWF and others lets us reach further and faster, but the mission is ours and it is simple: no child is left out.”
Gemma Hunt, Ambassador for The Outdoor Guide Foundation, added: “When you see a child go from watching through a window to jumping in puddles with their friends, you understand what this really does. It is not just kit. It is belonging, joy and the freedom to be a child outdoors.”
Through collaborations with organisations like WWF, The Outdoor Guide Foundation ultimately aims to gift around 20,000 sets of waterproofs and wellies – enough for every state primary school in the UK.
Part of WWF’s wider Prescription for Nature campaign, the Happy by Nature hub includes free toolkits helping schools improve nature-based learning and play and a new learning platform with live lessons featuring wildlife presenters on location.
Each school will receive a special Happy by Nature parcel containing ten sets of waterproofs and wellies in various sizes, together with a classroom resource pack that will guide them through the programme, and provide schools with the opportunity to celebrate their progress.
