NOMINATIONS OPEN -
NOMINATIONS OPEN -
The Head Outside Awards
The Head Outside Awards honour the individuals and organisations who use the outdoors to improve people’s wellbeing. Through their compelling stories, we’re reminded of the healing power of nature and the even greater strength we can find in each other.
These stories help us connect, reminding us that we’re not alone in what we face. They break the silence around mental health, showing that through the outdoors, we can overcome stigma and find healing, growth and kinship. The captivating stories shared at the Head Outside Awards are authentic, powerful, and show how connecting with the outdoors can lead to transfomation.
2024 Awards Highlight Reel
Our Award Categories
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The "Outstanding Organisation" award recognises organisations that have made a significant impact in improving people's mental health by harnessing the power of our natural world.
These organisations are recognised for their role as ambassadors of wellbeing policies, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting the mental health of both the people they serve and their employees. This award celebrates their impact in transforming lives and promoting best practice.
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The "Outstanding Community" award honours communities or peer support groups that excel in creating opportunities for people to access our natural world to improve their mental health. Recognising communities for their exceptional efforts in making the outdoors accessible for those with mental health challenges.
This award also celebrates communities who inspire people of all backgrounds to engage with our natural world to facilitate ways to well-being. It underscores the importance of community involvement in promoting mental health through outdoor experiences.
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The “Changemaker” Awards celebrates an organisation or individual that has created meaningful change to the way we support people with their mental health through impactful activities, projects or policies. This award recognises pioneers who have increased access to the outdoors through their activities or made outdoor activity more accessible.
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This category celebrates impactful storytelling, creative campaigns, and compelling media projects that inspire people to embrace the outdoors for better mental health. Whether it’s film, podcast, photography, journalism, or social media campaigns, we’re looking for media that sparks meaningful conversations, raises awareness, and encourages action.
Nominate someone you admire or share your own media project that’s making waves in mental health through outdoor engagement.
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The "Wellbeing Warrior" award recognises an individual who in overcoming their mental health challenges, has dedicated their life to improving the mental health and wellbeing of others. This award celebrates their commitment to helping others in their mental health journeys, acknowledging the significant impact of their efforts. This individual will be considered by others to be a positive role model who has improved or enriched the lives of other
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The Inspirational Individual Award celebrates those who use their leadership, passion, and storytelling to make a profound impact on mental health through the outdoors. Finalists may have overcome personal challenges themselves, or perhaps they've been inspired to take action because of someone they know who has faced mental health struggles. They are role models who break down stigma and demonstrate the transformative power of outdoor experiences for mental health and wellbeing.
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This award celebrates an individual (or individuals) who have undertaken a significant outdoor challenge that has had a significant outcome in one or more of the areas:
• Raising awareness of mental health
• Campaigned for change
• Challenged stigma
• Fundraising for a mental health charity
• Promoted the mental health benefits of outdoor activity
This award is in memory of Sam Hill whose story we will share at the awards. The winner will be chosen by his family and close friends.
KEY INFO
Nominations
Nominations are open from now until 1 October 2025.
Where & When
The awards will be held at the prestigious Kendal Mountain Festival on Saturday (am), 22nd of November, 2025.
What to Expect
An inspiring ceremony followed by a social and networking event in the evening.
The awards are free to enter
Any questions then please email: hello@headoutside.org
Who Can Apply
You do not need to be a mental health organisation to apply. You can apply if your work, project, event, podcast, film, business, community initiative or personal journey:
Improves people’s mental health
Makes the outdoors more accessible and inclusive
Uses the outdoors to campaign or fundraise
Inspires others
Has made meaningful change in how people are supported outdoors
Leads the way with new ideas or approaches
NOMINATE NOW!
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Outstanding Organisation
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Outstanding Community
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Social Prescribing Award
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Changemaker
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Wellbeing Warrior
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Outstanding Media Initiative
Please help support the awards
The Head Outside Awards relies on the financial support of our founder, the team and fundraising efforts. They are run on an entirely voluntary basis. The awards cost approximately £10,000 per/year to run and stage. We would love to be able to provide bursaries for the finalists, but we’re not currently able to without funding, sponsorship or financial backing from any brands as of this moment We have now registered Head Outside as a charity (#1212781) to allow for donations and hopefully, funding. Every penny donated will go into the running of the awards.
If you would like to sponsor the awards or a category, then please reach out to us at hello@headoutside.org
Thank you,
The Head Outside Awards Team
