British Exploring Society

Who we are

British Exploring Society is a world-class youth development charity with a unique heritage, founded on the belief that challenging experiences can define lives, empowering and equipping young people with the courage, skills, resilience and determination to make the most of their future.

We prepare and take young people on virtual and in-person expeditions and adventures in the UK and overseas where they face challenges, gain skills and learn about themselves - as well as acquiring knowledge relevant to their lives and to the environments that they explore. 

The results are transformative – not just in terms of practical skills and resilience, but in a new-found confidence and self-belief which they carry forward to their future life. More than this, our young people forge friendships for life and become part of a unique community with shared experiences, values and perspectives on the world.

We have a hardworking core team based in London who are supported by a diverse, and remarkable community of previous Young Explorers (Members) engaged professional volunteers, partners and funders. 

Our core values are Courage, Self-belief, Challenge and Community. 

'We are committed to building a team that represents a diverse variety of backgrounds, skills and perspectives on the world.  The more inclusive we are, the better we think we’ll be at delivering our charitable aims.'

Our culture and values

On expedition – everyone is out of their comfort zone, and that’s a great leveller.

Young people’s expectations of themselves and others are challenged. Experiences are shared and futures are shaped.

Our Young Explorers come from a wide variety of backgrounds; from communities facing high levels of economic and social deprivation and from those where expectations of personal and professional success are high. Often, these people would never cross paths in any other way. With us, they rub shoulders and exchange ideas in tents and canoes, up mountains and in the jungle.

Our work is transformational for everyone who participates. Wider society also benefits from the adventurous, resilient, adaptable team players we help to create.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

British Exploring Society actively welcomes applications from people who have significant life experience, transferable skills and are considering a career change or a change in levels of responsibility.

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.  We utilise an anonymous shortlisting process for recruitment, which means no personal data will be visible to the shortlisting panel.

If you are interested in applying and require any accessibility adjustments to the interview process, please do let us know when you apply. Thank you.