Salford students complete Outward Bound Sodexo challenge

Almost 40 young people took part in the Health and Wellbeing Challenge.

The Lowry, Salford Quays was the venue for 39 young people from two Salford schools to get together and celebrate the completion of the Health and Wellbeing Challenge run by Sodexo, the world’s largest services company, and The Outward Bound Trust.

Year 8 students from Moorside High School, Swinton and Oasis Oldham Academy took part in the third year of the programme in Salford which aims to promote healthy eating and an interest in, and understanding of, an active, outdoors lifestyle, as well as to develop the participant’s ability to interact confidently with their peers.

The programme included a preparatory activity day in December for everyone to meet, learn more about how to adopt a healthy lifestyle and what to expect from the main part of the programme in January: a five-day residential course at The Outward Bound Trust’s centre in UIlswater where they took part in activities such as gorge walking, an overnight expedition, jog and dip, coasteering, canoeing and orienteering.

At The Lowry the students were asked to present their learnings from the programme to Sodexo and The Outward Bound Trust before receiving a certificate and congratulations from one of The Trust’s senior instructors, Alex Wheeldon.

The students presented in groups of four or five. The Students spoke about the importance of a healthy diet and breakfast, with many stating that they now try and make sure they have something, and others commenting that they now have a better understanding of the nutritional content of food. 

The highlight of the programme was the residential course with many saying the climb up Helvellyn, one of the Lake District's highest peaks, in the driving snow and rain was the most stand out experience for them. 

Edwina Hughes, corporate responsibility manager at Sodexo said, “Sodexo has been working with The Outward Bound Trust for 14 years and has been running the Health and Wellbeing Challenge for three years in Salford.  It’s clear that the Challenge gives young people lots of new experiences through which they learn about their own abilities and ambitions.  The added focus on health and nutrition helps to inform young people’s understanding of eating well and the importance of fresh food in maintaining a healthy diet.  Our colleagues get a real kick out of volunteering on the Challenge and this year was no different - students and mentors alike came back with happy memories of their involvement in the Challenge.”

Martin Davidson, Scottish director, The Outward Bound Trust, said: “The Outward Bound Trust believes that through a healthy mind and body young people can fulfill their potential.  These students have certainly made the most of this great opportunity and have really got involved with the adventurous activities we’ve set them. We hope the experience has given them a better understanding of how to live a healthy lifestyle and has given them added confidence and a sense of pride.”

Sodexo and The Outward Bound Trust’s partnership began in 2009 when the first Health and Wellbeing Challenge programme was held in Scotland and continues to run every year.  In 2012 the programme was extended to Salford where Sodexo has one of its main offices.