About us

Safe and Sound Outdoors is part of Reflexion Care Group Limited, a company based in Shropshire, which in addition to providing Outdoor Experiences for individuals and school groups, also provides care and education for challenging Young People through its New Reflexions, Safe and Sound Care and Evolution Centre brands. The company employs over 100 staff, across all of its operational activities.

Safe and Sound Outdoors was set up by Craig Forde in 2006 with the aim of the company being to offer good, quality outdoor education to schools and youth groups using a small focused group of instructors dedicated in their chosen field.

Craig has been working in the outdoors for the past 11 years both full time and as a freelance instructor. He stumbled into it after training as an accountant for a while. He has in the past managed a variety of outdoor centre both here and abroad. He managed the YHA in Llangollen when it was an activity centre for up to 100 young people. Most recently he has been involved in setting up an outdoor programme for Mentors for young people, a residential childcare group.

Craig has led a variety of groups in numerous different locations both here and abroad including leading 15 young people on a month-long expedition to Nicaragua in order for them to complete their duke of Edinburgh gold award.

A passionate outdoor enthusiast he enjoys nothing better than passing on his skills and knowledge to others through the outdoors in training course and taster sessions. Having had the benefit of taking part in outdoor education trips as a young person he fully appreciates the benefits of the outdoors as a teaching platform.

Safe and Sound Outdoors is fully recognised by the AALA (Licence number R1422) and as such has a Licence to teach under 18’s the following outdoor activities:

• Rock Climbing
• Open Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Abseiling
• Hill Walking
• Gorge Walking
• Mountain Biking
• Orienteering

We have a good team of instructors who have all been chosen for their skills in the outdoors and also their ability to work with a variety of groups. They all hold the minimum NGB qualifications and undergo staff training on a frequent basis.

Here are a few of them:

Craig Forde	Dave Thomas	Steve Parry	Steve Worth	Jim Pearce
Josh Nettleton	Jenni Copper

"With a great deal of experience in outdoor education from teaching disadvantaged young people to leading expeditions in far flung countries I have built up a wealth of experience and qualifications that I feel are beneficial for all my clients."