The Importance of Visibility - Reflections from Clare Millington - Outdoors is For Everyone
Clare Millington and Pip Rowlands are a mum and daughter team showing that the outdoors can, and should, be accessible for learning disabled people. In this article Clare reflects on her experience attending The Outdoor Connection 2025 with Pip.
The Outdoor Connection is a face-to-face event bringing together the experts and community leaders who are shaping the future of an inclusive, accessible and representative UK outdoors. Run in partnership between All The Elements and YHA Outdoor Citizens.
As the parent of someone with learning disabilities, visibility and representation are something I often think about. If you are never seen, maybe you don’t exist.
If you don’t exist, who will support you to be seen?
With this in mind, we decided to be seen and Pip and I attended a conference in the Peak District for underrepresented groups of people in the outdoors - The Outdoor Connection.
There were many and varied challenges to attending and I hovered over the decision, swaying from protective mother to avid advocate. Pip is not good with crowds, or conversation, or sitting still; all central to getting through a conference. I dithered over going on my own, but I wasn’t the underrepresented group – also I’m not that keen on conferences.
Being the parent of children with complex disabilities requires a certain resilience and stamina – physically but even more so mentally. From the moment the disability is recognised you are open to judgement: what did you do during your pregnancy, what is your family history? Professionals enter your home – nurses, physios, occupational and speech therapists, social workers. You need them but you don’t want them. Judge, judge, judge. Is your home tidy? Have you done what they asked you to do last time? They respond with an ambiguous ‘hmm’ or ‘haa’. You look at the specimens in question. Your beautiful children. I have had a little rest from that since they have moved into supported living.
We arrive at the huge Youth Hostel in the Peak District where the conference is being held. We queue and enjoy the enthusiasm radiating from participants. Those known to each other hug and others introduce themselves. Pip eyes it all, a spectator, thankfully oblivious to being on the sidelines. I feel the prickles of questioning looks, are they thinking what are you two oddballs doing here?
I feel old. I probably have 20 years on most of the people here. Pip recognises someone and cheers loudly. Heads turn. Some chuckle, some look quizzical, others look at the floor. Are these to be the divisions: open, enquiring or terrified? I feel the welcome and warmth from All The Elements’ communications director Frankie who greets Pip back and inwardly thank her for recognition of us as belonging. She sweeps away, her blue hair a proud announcement that there is no need to conform.
Pip is excited by everything: giving her name at reception, the electronic keycard and even the small, boiling hot bunk room which is to be ours. I remember why I love to travel with her so much. We go down to the welcome talk in the conference hall and Pip takes her cue from the other participants to sit and listen in silence. We politely clap at the end. Pip decides it is worthy of a standing ovation, a fist pump and a whoop. Heads swivel but I feel a few more understanding or even supportive expressions.
We have signed up for an evening walk towards the ridge behind the hostel. Now unaccustomed to being the twin’s chief organiser, I’ve managed to lose Pip’s coat and she wears my gilet. It's 3 sizes too big and doesn’t help her credibility as a serious outdoors woman. Pip is entranced by the new lambs and it provides an easy talking point for those brave enough to engage. Three stylish young women are on the edge of our conversation and are talking about kayaking in Scotland.
“What did you most enjoy about our canoeing trip to Scotland?” I prompt Pip, remembering this is to be her conversation, her story to recount. She chuckles with joy.
“You fell in the washing machine”.
The young women pause. I try on various thoughts they might be having. Incredulity, respect, or maybe deflation that someone with severe learning disabilities could take on their adventure down the Spey?
“I preferred our trip across Scotland” I add. “Remember the waves on Loch Ness?”
“I looked after the radio,” Pip chipped in proudly.
“You canoed across Scotland? I am so impressed. I really want to do that next year”
Pip glowed. I usually have no idea how she perceives herself in relation to young women of a similar age without learning disabilities. Often she is viewed as a child, despite being 25 and she does continue to have a much younger person’s innocent view of the world. In this moment, however, she was viewed as being part of the crowd. Someone with something worthy of sharing in the conversation of the moment. That is rare and I could see her self esteem swell.
The common ground was found. The bond was made. Questions were asked. Some of me, some of Pip. She couldn’t answer many but adventure had led to her acceptance to walk as part of the crowd. A tension left my shoulders as I slipped towards the back of the group. I was wrong to judge their thoughts, they were, as we all are, just looking for a connection.
To find out more about Pip and Clare, Follow them on Instagram @OutdoorsIsForEveryone
If you’ve enjoyed this article you can read more about Pip and Clare through our International Day of Persons with Disabilities Community Spotlight that features their work and you can find more articles inspired by The Outdoor Connection here.
