5 Minutes With… Pip And Clare
All The Elements community members and disability campaigners Clare Millington and Pip Rowlands are a mum and daughter team showing that the outdoors can, and should, be accessible for learning disabled people. Here’s a 5 minute introduction to their work…
Image Credit - Abbie Merritt
What are you passionate about?
Learning disabled people love the outdoors too and we want to make sure they get there.
What does that look like in practice?
Our community - 'Outdoors is for everyone' - is making learning disability visible in the countryside and giving people opportunities and the confidence to enjoy it.
The danger for learning disabled people is that you will only do what your support assistant does - you might not even get the choice to get outside, we show this choice is possible. For example, by rethinking what experiences and qualifications support assistants have.
How do you do it?
We share our adventures, the challenges we face and the work we do to overcome them online.
Raising awareness that the learning disabled community need opportunity to have outdoor adventures, just as others do.
‘Outdoors is for everyone' is the start of making learning disability visible in the countryside and to give opportunities and confidence to enjoy it.
Image Credit - Abbie Merritt
Why do you do it?
Pip loves to be outdoors adventuring.
I could see this all stopping when she moved into supported living. We need to change this so it is an opportunity for all.
Where do you feel most connected to the outdoors and why?
Far away from roads, or even paths, with the sound of curlew intermingled with the wind.
“I’ve never seen an adventurous role model for pip who also has learning disabilities - and this needs to change.”
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about the work you do?
How many doors close, real and metaphorical, when you enter supported living as a learning disabled young adult.
How has the All The Elements community supported you with your work?
I felt very alone before I discovered ATE, and without kindred spirits it is easy to be made to feel you are asking for too much.
Once I met others on a similar path, I knew it was possible to make a difference and found the confidence to try and do so for our community.
Knowing ATE is there to support me is hugely comforting.
Whats coming up for you next?
Watch out for wonderful photos taken at our recent networking weekend in the Yorkshire Dales showing that learning disabled adults don't always need specialist kit or outdoor centres, just supportive staff.
Where can people find you at Kendal Mountain Festival 2025?
Wandering around with our Outdoors is for Everyone badges on. Pip would love to say hello.
What is your top tip for making the most of KMF?
Get hold of the paper version of the programme - there is such a lot on and it is much easier to see what there is in hard copy!
Where else can people find and follow your work?
You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @OutdoorsIsForEveryone
