Kit Collective

Bringing diversity to the outdoors

Rory Southworth By Rory Southworth

Lack of diversity has long been an issue in outdoor communities across the world. The Kit Collective is a project that was started to address the issue by creating more opportunities for minorities in the outdoors and connecting brands with initiatives that support the cause.

The project aims to promote diversity by providing quality kit from outdoor brands to community leaders and organisations which specialise in coordinating activities for the BAME community in the UK.

Created by a group of outdoor enthusiasts and athletes from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, the team are using their voices, experiences and relationships with brands to take action.


To launch of their project, The Kit Collective is are working closely with Mosaic Outdoors and Black Girls Hike UK, which engage with BAME community members interested in venturing into the outdoors.

Initially focusing on hiking, the collective aims to extend their focus into more activities in the future.

Making outdoor activities more open and accessible to BAME community members is crucial for positive change. The project targets some of the barriers by providing gear to participants through initiatives that welcome different cultures and promote confidence, safety and awareness in the outdoors.

While this is by no means the solution to the problem, the team believes it is a step in the right direction and hope to encourage action and awareness from the community and industry as a whole.

Mosaic Outdoors leader Mohammed Dhalech with donated Salomon trainers. Photo credit: Rachel Sarah Media


Mosaic Outdoors leader Mohammed Dhalech with donated Salomon trainers. Photo credit: Rachel Sarah Media

Donated rucksacks from Lowe Alpine. Photo credit: Rachel Sarah Media


Donated rucksacks from Lowe Alpine. Photo credit: Rachel Sarah Media

The contribution from brands in the outdoor industry is key to making this on-going project possible.

Brands including Salomon, OMM, Rab, Lowe Alpine, Grangers, Not the Safe Route, RMBLR, Sigg and Ordnance Survey have kindly donated gear to launch of the project. But that's just the start - there’s still a long way to go and long-term collective action is the only way forward.


Mosaic Outdoors leader Mohammed Dhalech with donated RMBLR hats. Photo credit: Rachel Sarah Media


Mosaic Outdoors leader Mohammed Dhalech with donated RMBLR hats. Photo credit: Rachel Sarah Media

Donated kit from OMM. Photo credit: Rachel Sarah Media


Donated kit from OMM. Photo credit: Rachel Sarah Media

The Kit Collective team welcomes brands and community groups to get in touch and get involved.

You can find them at kitcollective.co.uk and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.


Published 24/06/2020

Rory Southworth By Rory Southworth

About:

Rory is a red race short wearing mountain runner, climber and long distance hiker.

Find out more about Rory Southworth.

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