[L]ast month an inclusive group took part in a brand new “Mind Over Mountains” event to harness the benefits of Lakeland fellwalking for mental and physical health, supported by Cumbrian businesses.
A group of 29 people had the opportunity to build confidence, resilience and return home more recharged in the Northern Fells of the Lake District National Park. The weekend included guided walks up two of the best-loved Lakeland fells, Skiddaw and Blencathra, and accommodation at YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse – the highest bunkhouse in the British Isles and only accessible on foot.
Also included were NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) coaching and mindfulness workshops to develop strategies for managing mental well-being. Young adventurer and photographer Oli Broadhead, 22, gave an evening talk about his personal mental health journey and expeditions.
Blencathra Field Studies Centre in Threlkeld educated the participants with a guided talk about the local environment, with support also offered by Keswick-based Mountain Fuel, Paramo Clothing in Keswick and Grasmere Gingerbread shop.
According to leading charity Mind, one in four people in the UK now experience a mental health condition each year. A 2015 review found that people in Cumbria with mental illnesses were 3.3 times more likely to die before 75 than the rest of England.
Free places were also available to Cumbrians in challenging circumstances who may otherwise not have been able to take part.
The event was curated by Adventure Uncovered, an organisation with a purpose to ‘accelerate social and environmental awareness and change through responsible adventure.’ Founder, James Wight, said: “With the realities and stresses of our time, it’s ever more important to get outside and reconnect with nature for our mental health. It was great to build and see the event through with Alex and our local partners that helped the group to build more resilience in their lives and create invaluable friendships.”
It was led by record-breaking adventurer and mental health fundraiser Alex Staniforth, 22, who climbed all 100 UK county tops last year, including Scafell Pike in Cumbria, to raise money for the charity Young Minds UK. Openly sharing his own struggle with depression and eating disorders, Alex said: “The whole weekend was a truly emotional and inspiring journey for all involved. From start to finish you could see how the group put their minds over mountains, and so much more – and I have no doubt they will be returning more resilient and inspired to put their walking boots on more often. The Lake District gave everyone chance to get away from it all and unusually perfect weather only added to the magic!”
