Bagnalls Management Trainees Embrace Adventure at Brathay Trust!

17 December 2025

Our brilliant team of Management Trainees recently enjoyed an incredible outward-bound experience at Brathay Trust. Located in beautiful Ambleside in the Lake District, Brathay has been inspiring young people to build their own bright futures since 1946!

Offering transformative outdoor experience, learning opportunities and community support, Brathay provides today’s young people with the skills and experience they need to thrive tomorrow. The organisation aims to inspire more than 40,000 young people to transform their lives by 2029.

We couldn’t pass up the chance to get our Management Trainees involved in such a fantastic development experience! The team spent a few days at Brathay – supported by our HR Learning and Development Advisor, Kirsty Stokes – stretching their leadership and teamwork skills.

During the experience, the team were also given the chance to reflect and grow, both as individuals and as a cohort. Brathay encourages young people to step outside their comfort zones and our Management Trainees did just that.

The team tackled high and low ropes, scrambled up waterfalls and even enjoyed a night-time scavenger hunt on a whaler boat! Each activity was designed to develop trust, enhance communications and get our trainees to perform brilliantly together as a team under pressure.

Kirsty commented: “Personally, even in my supportive role on the trip, I found myself doing things I never would have had the confidence to attempt a few years ago. It was a great reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about the willingness to learn, adapt and challenge yourself alongside your team.”

Bagnalls would like to say a big thank you to Cath Hempsall and the team at Brathay Trust for organising such a valuable experience. The lovely memories will stay with our team for many years to come!