Low Mill Outdoor Centre

Welcome to Low Mill Outdoor Centre

There can’t be many villages, within or without the Yorkshire Dales, which offers such a range of exciting facilities for youngsters as Low Mill Outdoor Centre at the west end of Askrigg.
It was established in 1976 by The Askrigg Foundation as a charitable trust whose stated aim was, and remains, “to help and educate young people through their leisure-time activities so to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society and that their conditions of life may be improved.”
It’s probably not the sort of  language we’d use today but it sums up the ethos of the place and the philosophy of the man who started it all – Malcolm Stonestreet, vicar of Askrigg in the early 70s, whose vision led to the formation of the Askrigg Foundation.
And this original aim is still being achieved through adventurous outdoor education courses for people of all ages and abilities, and from all backgrounds.
Head of Centre, Terry Hailwood, takes up the story of this unique place . . . .

The centre is an old water mill in the village of Askrigg, converted to its present use in 1976.  In 1981 a new wing was added, specifically designed to accommodate people using wheelchairs, and increasing the capacity.
Low Mill now employs 12 people – five instructors, four housekeepers and two administrative staff.  All live locally, and all contribute to the life of the local community.  The centre, which I currently lead, is overseen by a volunteer management committee of eight local professional people and two trustees.
Over the past 35 years Low Mill has provided adventurous outdoor courses for people of all ages and abilities, and from all backgrounds.  The courses encourage independence, self-esteem and personal development and Low Mill has an excellent reputation within its field.
Over the years outdoor education has faced many challenges and has become heavily regulated with increased pressure from external sources, but Low Mill has faced these challenges and stayed ahead thanks to its committed staff and its strong belief in the ethos and original aims. It is now nationally recognised as a quality outdoor education provider through various accreditations:  the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority, Learning Outside the Classroom quality badge, Adventure Mark, a British Canoe Union approved centre, as well as being a longstanding member of Adventure For All, an organisation for centres which specialise in working  in the outdoors with clients who have special needs.
I believe our real strength lies in our flexibility and adaptability to provide quality residential outdoor education for a wide range of people, though over time there have been shifts in these demographics.  In 2010 our figures show that 2,330 people stayed at Low Mill: 38% were primary school children, 24% were groups with special needs and disabilities,and  32%  were from secondary schools and youth groups.
Groups come to us from all areas of the United Kingdom, but primarily from the North of England.  Many come from socially and economically deprived areas and for such groups there is an annual bursary fund of £7,000, funded by the Askrigg Foundation.  Groups can apply for a full or part bursary to enable young people to come to the centre who would otherwise not be able to do so, but it’s true to say that the fund is generally oversubscribed.
Low Mill is also accessible to local groups: Askrigg, Hawes and Bainbridge schools take advantage of the regular Friday afternoon sessions; Wensleydale School Year 7 pupils have their induction day at Low Mill, while Askrigg Youth Club and the Kings Club also meet here.  This is set to continue throughout 2011 with the Askrigg Foundation making funds available to support the local primary schools with the Low Mill ‘school link project’.
We’re indebted to The Friends’ of Low Mill, a group of local people who work hard to organise fund-raising events throughout the year. In December 2010, for example, with local rotarians and the masonic lodge, they helped us buy a new minibus.
As Low Mill is an entirely self-funded local charity having this extra fundraising is essential, and enormously helpful in keeping our costs to the minimum. For more information about Low Mill visit our website at http://www.lowmill.com

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