[A] group of adventurous First Step therapists from Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will be taking on a 24 hour relay, completing three of the highest peaks in the Lake District setting off on the 15th September.
The idea of a First Step event first took root in April 2018 when three colleagues sat down together to discuss how they could mark the 10th anniversary of First Step NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Service (IAPT) and the fact they have provided a service for over 100,000 people across Cumbria during that time. Living and working in Cumbria they naturally considered an outdoor challenge, one that would make the most of this beautiful environment and challenge them beyond normal limits, something they ask clients to do on a daily basis. As a team they are spread across the county so devising an event that would bring them together with a shared objective was central to the plan.
Dave Sandford, Senior Psychotherapist with the First Step service said “The challenge will be a 24 hour non-stop relay, where we hand over a baton as we complete three of the highest peaks in the Lake District, Scafell Pike, Skiddaw and Helvellyn. The mountains and the journey in between will be completed on foot, bike, canoe, and swimming. Each leg varies in terms of the ascent, descent, going underfoot, and the navigational skills required. The idea being to appeal to as many of the First Step team as possible. We will have support at handover points, and other team members will provide transport to get participants back to base. With a staff of over 100 we should have it well covered!
As well as the opportunity to celebrate the work of First Step the challenge has provided us with the opportunity to raise sponsorship for four national charities. These were chosen for the services they offer, benefiting many of our clients. They are the Citizen Advice Bureau, Age Concern, SAMARITANS and Futures for Heroes (F4H). F4H is a charity working with ex-serving personnel, delivering the courses from Brathay Hall in Ambleside. The Brathay Trust has generously offered to host the First Step challenge providing us with a central HQ, the start and finish point and laying on a celebratory meal for us on completion. We feel exceptionally grateful for their support and generosity”.
If anyone would like to donate or find out more visit: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/firststepcumbria
To find out about how to refer to First Step and the help they provide visit: https://www.cumbriapartnership.nhs.uk/our-services/mental-health/our-mental-health-services/first-step
