An incredible ride thus far.
Making it magical for children to learn ways to feel good inside and flourish out in the world.
The initial spark for the charity came when Founder and CEO, Stephanie Weissman, became convinced, from personal experience, of a well-proven concept – happiness fuels success, not the other way around.
A framework based on 5 Keys to Happiness was developed and continues to weave through everything we do.
2013
Our first day turns into a Magical Day Out of mindfulness, nature and horses at Checkendon Equestrian Centre in the stunning Oxfordshire countryside for 10 children.
Children say, “It was the best day I ever had.” We know we are on to something.
2014
We create a Toolbox for schools – a simple and adaptable way to bring the magic of the Days Out into schools and support children’s learning.
Teachers say, “The Toolbox is every teacher’s dream. You give a clear ‘Purpose’ for each activity and we don’t need much, if anything, to run them.”
2015
To support teachers in embedding INSIDE OUT in the curriculum, a Teacher Training workshop is established, motivating teachers to embrace the Toolbox and make wellbeing part of children’s everyday school life.
INSIDE OUT becomes a registered charity.
2016 - 2018
We build a tribe of partner schools in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Magical Days Out are now in demand. The upgrade of our physical Toolbox to a range of digitised resources begins.
Nearly 50 Magical Days Out and 500 children later.
2019
Thameside Primary School in Reading is the first recipient of the INSIDE OUT Award in recognition of exceptional commitment to the happiness and wellbeing of their children.
“We have seen tangible benefits on the wellbeing, health and learning of our children.” - Headteacher
2020
The pandemic hits.
We have to abruptly halt Magical Days Out and pivot. Free, weekly Wellbeing Guides full of simple, fun wellbeing boosts are created and used at home and in school to support children, some of whom are experiencing trauma.
2021 - 2022
The overwhelmingly positive response to the Guides galvanises us to accelerate the completion of a free, digitised Activity Library and Wellbeing Programme. Schools now use them to work towards our INSIDE OUT Award, which helps them build a whole-school culture to wellbeing.
2023
As part of our 10th Anniversary celebrations, we restart Magical Days Out and launch a new Wellbeing Ambassadors pilot, putting children at the centre of leading peer-to-peer support and promoting positive mental wellbeing.
Over 5,000 children supported across 20 schools.
2024
A new student internship pilot gets underway to elevate young voices, giving children an active role in shaping and designing our services.
We recruit 5 new Trustees to steer the charity towards greater impact and innovation.
2025
Our 2025-2029 strategy sets out our bold ambition to ‘step up the magic’ and become more relevant and relatable to children than ever before.
We aim to reach 2,500 more children, putting them at the heart of shaping our work.
