frequently asked questions

Where are Venture Out based?

We are a Galway based charity, but we deliver our programmes nationwide. We are mostly a mobile operation, delivering our services within the communities that we engage. We are conscious to deliver our interventions within these communities as opposed to transporting groups to far flung places where they may never have the means or finances to travel to again. We believe our programmes should be accessible, affordable, sustainable and inclusive, delivered to participants in their own communities. If you would like us to visit your locality and deliver our programmes, just get in touch and we can discuss the various logistical options that exist.

What do we do?

We deliver outdoor, nature based programmes to people within marginalised and disadvantaged communities, in the promotion of their health and well-being. This could be a forest school group with early years, a teenage urban adventure club, or an extended wilderness based personal development expedition. Whatever the need is for that specific group or individual, we will develop a bespoke programme to suit their requirements. We are needs led and needs driven. We like to think of ourselves as occupying the space between social care and the outdoors!

Who do we work with?

We work with everyone - all ages and abilities! While our services are available to individuals, families and groups, we predominantly work with youth work and family support focused organisations to deliver our programmes to the people most in need at little or no costs to the participant. By adopting this inter-organisational & collaborative approach to our work, we find we are able to engage the people most in need of these types of programmes, quite often those living in disadvantage. If you are interested in joining forces with Venture Out, please get in touch, we are all about collaboration and partnership!

How much do our programmes cost?

Our programmes vary in price depending on the intervention we deliver, who we deliver it with and where they are delivered. Each programme is designed specifically for the individual or group involved, so it is often difficult for us to give a generic price. It is therefore only possible to agree costs once we speak with each organisation directly to explore their needs and the options available.

However, all our staff either currently work or have worked in the recent past within the social care fields, and consequentially understand the landscape and how important it is that we achieve value for money. Where costs can be saved, we will work closely with each organisation to ensure this happens. This could involve the pooling of resources, being creative around administrative and transportation costs, or it could involve submitting joint applications to fully or part finance the project costs involved. Either way, don’t be afraid to drop us a line, we are open to exploring all options with everyone!

How fit do I need to be/what level of physical ability do I need to have?

You do not need a strong level of fitness or physical ability to participate in our programmes. However the levels of fitness required varies from programme to programme. For instance, we run Branching Out programmes where we cater for all abilities and disabilities, where we specifically design activities around the needs of the individual participants. For our Ember Expedition programme, participants do need to be able to walk a minimum of 5-7km daily, unassisted to complete this course. At saying that, we work with everyone that demonstrates an intrinsic motivation to participate, and we would warmly welcome supporting any challenge that an individual feels they are willing to undertake. The key starting point for all programmes, is whether the participant themselves thinks they can take on the challenge! If so, we’ll support.

How do I get involved?

Ideally, we would hope that all participants are referred in to our service by a key worker within the social care field, i.e. social workers, key support youth and family support workers, case workers, probation officers, counselors and other professional support workers from within the social care field. However, we do take individual / direct referrals. If you are a case worker or individual thinking of engaging with our services, please drop us a line and we will send you our a referral form and talk you through the process.

How do I make a referral?

As above. Just get in touch and we can talk you through the options and work with you through the process. It’s not complicated and we are here to make it as easy as possible.

How are our programmes funded?

Each programme, course and initiative is funded through different sources. We are not core funded, which allows us work with any third party organisation and individual seeking support. A core aim of ours is to source funding to allow us to deliver our programmes to the people most in need at little or no cost to the participants. If you are interested in submitting a joint application or would like advice and support in completing an application yourself, we are always happy to help.

Who do we work with?

While we are primarily concerned with working with people from within disadvantaged and marginalised communities, our programmes are open to all. This could include people from within minority groups,  people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, communities from regions experiencing deprivation, people from within the justice and probation services, people already linked in with drug and alcohol or mental health support services, and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It is our opinion that anyone, and everyone would benefit greatly in their own individual way from participation in our personal development programmes. Nobody is the finished article!

What do I need to bring or wear on the programmes?

All our programme run in the outdoors, so dressing appropriately is of paramount importance. We live in Ireland, so good jackets and rain gear is essential, while warm clothing and suitable footwear are all necessary. In relation to footwear, something with good grip is required, and anything with ankle support would also be useful. There’s no harm in bringing a small rucksack to carry all your gear, a few snacks and some spare clothing would help.

For certain programmes that involve activities that require specific types of equipment of clothing, we will either provide all that you need or we will be contacting all participants directly with a list of what they need to bring when appropriate.

Ember Expedition Specific FAQ’s

What do I need to bring with me?

Venture Out Provide each participant with all camping and hiking related gear such as, individual tent, rucksack, trangia, sleeping bag (with a liner), head torch. We also provide high quality, hiking boots, waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers and with hiking socks. While Venture Out provide you with these essential pieces of safety equipment it is up to the participant to bring a few simple items, such as trousers suitable for walking, t-shirts (not cotton), warm fleeced jumpers, hat, and gloves. Spare socks and underwear. Toiletries and towel and a set of clean clothes for the last day.

Where will I be staying?

Each expedition will be based on the weather forecasts available, so location may change slightly to insure each expedition remains safe. Predominately the expeditions will take place in the Maumturk Mountains along the western way in Connemara, Galway.  Each night on the expedition you will be staying in your own single person tent, the first 5 nights will be wild camping beside mountains and forests. These are not high mountain campsites and very manageable for all ability levels. The last night will involve camping however this will take place in the grounds of a centre where showers and other facilities are available.

What will I be eating?

We try to accommodate to individual dietary requirements, and it is best to contact us 2 weeks in advance to let us know if any specific foods or supplies are needed. We provide a wide variety of food that fulfill breakfast, lunch, dinner and daily snacks. Each participants is given time on day one to choose the food they would like to bring on the expedition. We provide a wide range of vegetables, rice’s/pastas, cured meats, sauces and a selections of tinned foods and breakfast material. Each participant is also supported and encouraged to try new meals and their guides help them with this process. So if you’ve never cooked a chorizo and vegetable curry before, you will be a master chef by the end of the expedition!!

What will I be doing?

Each day follows a set plan and routine. While the main actions of the expeditions involve walking from camp site to campsite along a linear trail, each day is broken into different themes. For example we might look a problem solving and throughout the day we might stop in different locations to work and explore different ways to problem solve in a fun and interactive way. Each day will also bring its own unplanned challenges and we allow the group and individuals time to overcome these in a supportive and safe environment. With challenges we often get great opportunity to also do things we might not have done before - light fires, go for a swim, hike to the peak of a mountain and carve a spoon. Therefore two expeditions are never the same and like our programmes we encourage the group and our guides to embrace change and challenges as they arrive.

Who else will be on the programme with me?

All participants on the programme are recruited from a wide variety of services. Everyone presents with different issues, but are generally there for the same reason – to affect positive change in their lives once they return from the journey. Before each expeditions, it is mandatory to attend an introduction and information meeting. This will give you an opportunity to meet the group and get to meet the expedition team also. If you are aware of any conflict with other members of the group please make us aware.

What if I decide to leave?

A participant is free to leave at any time, however due to the remote location of the expedition it may take some time and careful planning to accommodate this. If a participants decides to leave we will support them off the mountain to the nearest local transport system and get them back home as soon as possible

What if I need to take medication on a daily or weekly basis?

If a participant is on any type of medication, Venture Out guides must be made aware of this before the expedition commences, even if it is something minor. All medication is signed over to Venture Out Guides during the expedition to ensure it does not get lost or damaged, and will be kept in a lock box and distributed to you as required in line with information provide by your doctor. Don’t worry, all issues around medication are teased out in detail before embarking on the trip. In relation to ability levels and medication requirements, we believe everyone is capable of under taking and completing the Ember expedition programme with support, and provided people have their medication under control, we encourage them to sign up and take on the challenge.

What level of fitness do I need to have?

Participants do need to be able to walk a minimum of 5-7km unassisted to complete this course. We also want to remind participants that you will be carrying your own rucksack with all equipment listed above. In saying that, we work with people of all needs and ability levels, and everyone that demonstrates an intrinsic motivation to participate, we would warmly welcome supporting. The key starting point for all programmes, is whether the participant themselves thinks they can take on the challenge! If so, we’ll support you.