The story began when Ian Woodall, a member of a Light Infantry Territorial Army battalion, proposed something exceptionally ambitious: a Reserve Forces expedition to climb Mount Everest in winter. The idea had plenty of ambition, but the scale and danger of attempting the world’s highest mountain in winter meant considerable work was needed to make
The Birth of The Ulysses Trust Read More »
Companies that partner with The Ulysses Trust are uniquely positioned to demonstrate meaningful, measurable support to the Armed Forces community—directly aligning with the objectives of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). The ERS framework—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—recognises employers who proactively support Defence and the Armed Forces community, including Cadets, Reservists, Cadet Force Adult
Overview To mark Earth Day (22 April 2026), we have analysed the 79 comments regarding the environmental impact of the expeditions we supported last year. These were taken from our Outcome Measurement Survey 2025 from a total of 118 survey responses. The findings highlight the growing role of expeditions in developing environmental awareness among cadets
Learning in the Wild: How Expeditions Are Driving Environmental Awareness and Change Read More »
A new report from 42 schools with cadet units shows clear, consistent, and overwhelmingly positive impact on pupils’ education, personal development, and wellbeing. Schools reported improved attendance, behaviour, confidence, resilience, and emotional health among cadets, with particularly striking benefits for disadvantaged, SEND, or previously disengaged pupils. Staff wellbeing also improved through volunteering as Cadet Force
New Report Shows Cadet Units Transform School Communities Read More »
Our expeditions do more than build resilience—they inspire action for our planet. By embracing eco-friendly travel, zero-waste practices, and hands-on conservation, cadets and reservists gain firsthand insight into climate change and environmental protection. These adventures foster leadership, deepen appreciation for nature, and spark lasting commitment to preserving our world’s precious resources. The evidence from our
Cadet & Reservist Expeditions: Shaping Environmental Champions Read More »
A new report has revealed what many in the world of adventurous training already know—experiences like those offered through cadet forces can be life-changing for young people. According to The Impact and Value of School-based Cadet Forces in the UK, published by the Ministry of Defence in partnership with the University of Northampton, joining a
The Impact and Value of School Based Cadet Forces in the UK Read More »
In a world where digital screens dominate daily life, a compelling research paper, “Conceptualising the Power of Outdoor Adventure Activities for Subjective Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review,” offers an invigorating reminder of the transformative power of nature and adventure. This study synthesizes a wealth of research to explore how outdoor adventure activities—think hiking, rock climbing,
Unleashing the Power of Adventure: How Outdoor Activities Boost Well-Being Read More »
Here’s an extremely useful report entitled: The Benefits of Adventure for Children: A Summary of the Evidence – which has been produced for the Adventure Mind – a collaboration of individuals and organisations including outdoor leaders, researchers, health practitioners, universities, adventure charities and companies. The authors of the report include Ulysses Trust Advisory Officers: Prof.
The Benefits of Adventure for Children Read More »
“A generation scarred by the Covid-19 pandemic” published in CentrePiece – the magazine of The Centre for Economic Performance considers how the closure of schools during lockdown has impacted on social interaction skills and mental health as well as educational achievement. It suggests firstly that, compared with other countries, the UK’s response to the pandemic
A Generation Scarred by the Covid-19 Pandemic Read More »
Pupils who take part in cadets at school have an ‘edge’ according to a new study published by Professor Simon Denny, Professor Richard Hazenberg and Dr Claire Peterson-Young of the University of Northampton. The report, titled ‘Getting an Edge: The Impact and Value of the Cadet Forces in Wales’ was commissioned by the RFCA for
Pupils who take part in cadets at school have an ‘edge’ Read More »
The impact of expedition experiences on young people and how these formative adventures shape their adult lives is a topic that invites deep exploration. In this analysis, Mike Blakey, our Grant Applications Committee Manager, delves into the long-term effects of these expeditions. By reconnecting with former expedition cadets, he uncovers surprising insights into how these
Developing Resilient Youth through Outdoor Adventure Read More »
Expeditions and challenging adventurous activities are good for the body and the mind. We explore the benefits of Adventurous Training (AT) for good mental health. In an era where mental health concerns are increasingly prevalent, The Ulysses Trust offers an innovative and effective way to enhance well-being through adventurous expeditions. By supporting various challenging and
Adventure as Therapy Read More »
Veterans make a huge contribution to the cadet movement as Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs) and many help run cadet expeditions, but what’s in it for them? Veterans play a crucial role in the running of many cadet units and The Ulysses Trust recognises how important veterans are in running expeditions too. We are hugely
Veterans are Vital! Read More »
The Trust is keen to encourage expeditions that have a minimal impact on the environment. Is this achievable or is it just a pipe dream? The Ulysses Trust is taking proactive steps to encourage units to reduce the environmental impact of expeditions and their carbon footprint. In the aftermath of COVID-19 we championed UK-based adventures.
Going Eco-friendly Read More »
