Expanding Possibilities Outdoors: Supporting Petty Pool’s New Residential Facilities
The Ursula Keyes Trust is proud to support Petty Pool Trust with a grant towards their ambitious and much-needed project to expand and improve the Outdoor Education Centre near Northwich, Cheshire. This initiative will significantly enhance access to outdoor learning for thousands of young people, particularly those with learning disabilities.
For over 40 years, Petty Pool has been a lifeline to young adults with learning disabilities across Cheshire and beyond. Their work spans three core areas: a Vocational College for 122 students, community engagement activities for 70 young people, and their widely respected Outdoor Centre, which currently welcomes around 4,500 local schoolchildren annually.
Why We Supported This Project
Petty Pool’s Outdoor Education Centre plays a unique and transformative role in children’s lives—especially for those who are too often excluded from mainstream outdoor learning experiences. But their existing residential facilities, originally built in the 1980s, are now outdated, increasingly costly to maintain, and accessible to only a limited number of visitors.
This capital project aims to change that.
The redevelopment includes the construction of seven new, fully accessible chalets, which will:
- Double the centre’s overnight capacity from 34 to 64 beds
- Enable up to 8,000 children per year to benefit from outdoor education
- Offer purpose-built accommodation that meets modern accessibility and sustainability standards
- Expand access for children with physical disabilities, with all new buildings being wheelchair accessible
Petty Pool’s vision is to make outdoor adventure, and its countless benefits, available to every child, regardless of ability.
A Place for Growth, Friendship, and Confidence
Outdoor learning isn’t just about physical activity—it’s about developing confidence, self-reliance, and social skills. Petty Pool offers a safe, supportive environment where young people with learning and physical disabilities can challenge themselves, try new activities, and develop essential life skills.
This project directly addresses growing concerns around:
- Social isolation among disabled children and young adults
- Mental health challenges, which have worsened since the pandemic
- Poor employment outcomes for young people with learning disabilities
- Limited educational and enrichment opportunities outside the school setting
With features like climbing walls, accessible woodland trails, and inclusive team-building challenges, the centre will help young people overcome barriers, discover new interests, and build lasting connections.
Building a Better Future
Our grant towards this £547,000 redevelopment will help Petty Pool unlock its full potential as a regional hub for inclusive outdoor education. Importantly, this project also ensures:
- Long-term sustainability through improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs
- Better safeguarding and site layout, with reconfigured space separating the College and Outdoor Centre
- Flexible use of the site to accommodate both day and residential visits simultaneously
Through strategic partnerships with schools, local charities, and national initiatives such as the Prince’s Trust and Rotary, Petty Pool continues to amplify its impact. Their 96% rebooking rate is a testament to the trust, value, and transformational experiences they provide.
Together, Creating Lasting Impact
At the Ursula Keyes Trust, we are committed to funding projects that improve health, inclusion, and opportunity for disadvantaged people across our region. Petty Pool’s work exemplifies this mission, and we are honoured to contribute to a project that will benefit generations of young people, many of whom face significant barriers in their daily lives.
We look forward to seeing these new facilities come to life in 2026, helping thousands more young people to thrive in nature, grow in confidence, and take bold steps towards a more inclusive future.