The Polar Academy

About

We work with 13–18-year-olds with mental well-being challenges or lacking self-esteem and confidence. We give them an intensive 1 year physical and mental training programme culminating in a winter sledge hauling expedition in the Arctic, which changes the mindset of the young people as well as their families, schools, communities, and positively impacts the local economy. Our model is built around an 18-month planning schedule for each annual intake of young people where we liaise closely and responsibly with schools, mostly in deprived areas, teachers, parents/ carers, and the community. We provide pastoral care and personal support to every kid and family we work with from when they start the programme, to its completion, and often beyond their adolescence.

Where we work