A free climbing therapy group for women living with health conditions like endometriosis is launching in Whitehaven.
Reach Women is a new 12 week beginner climbing and wellbeing group programme, that is aiming to introduce women living with any gynaecological or hormonal health conditions to the world of climbing in a supportive environment.
Each session will combine indoor rock climbing with talking therapy to bring women together who understand the realities of women’s health – from feeling exhausted by constant medical appointments and advocacy, to feeling unheard in medical spaces.
It is free to attend and is being fully funded by Sports England and run by The Outdoor Partnership in collaboration with ClimbWell, a community interest company who combine talking therapy with climbing sessions.
Open to women aged 18 plus of all fitness levels, sessions will take place at The Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project.
The programme is being spearheaded by Abby Nelson, 46, of Cockermouth, who works as a lecturer in business at the University of Cumbria and is a qualified climbing instructor.
Abby has also experienced a 12 year journey with stage four endometriosis, which ended with her going through surgical menopause at the age of 42.
Endometriosis is a condition where cells, similar to the lining of the womb, are found elsewhere in the body.
It causes lesions, cysts and scar tissue that result in severe pain and other often debilitating symptoms.
Abby said: “In 2022 I ended up having a total hysterectomy and was put into a surgical menopause and I really struggled with that.
“I would never have said I was someone who had anxiety before, but as soon as I went into a surgical menopause, I became a very anxious person and I was facing all of the things that are attributed to being in menopause and hormonal changes.
“There were times when my mental health was on the floor, plus being a single parent and having a really stressful job role at the time, and climbing really got me through all that.
“But I had done a little bit of climbing pre-Covid and then I started to climb once I’d been given the all clear after my surgery. I just wanted to get into it and see what it was like doing a bit of rope climbing.
“That was three years ago and I have found that it has really helped my confidence, mindfulness and building a sense of community.”
Abby said she wanted to set up the programme to give other women the chance to experience the same positive impact she has from climbing.
Abby said: “I contacted the The Outdoor Partnership and asked to see if there was anything we could do in a group because I really wanted to share my experience.
“A lot of women might look at climbers and think they need to be really strong and it’s always men you see doing really scary things on massive cliffs and climbing doesn’t have to be like that and I want to share that side of it.
“So we set up the group, I got qualified in the meantime so I can instruct and we’re running it as a 12 week pilot scheme that is fully funded by Sport England.
“I feel like I’ve managed to turn something that was quite traumatic into something that will hopefully be really positive for others.”
Abby will help run the programme as an instructor and she will be joined by ClimbWell climbing instructor and therapist Jess Eatwell.
She added that the sessions will be relaxed, non-pressurised and non-judgemental spaces that combine therapeutic down time with learning the basics of both roped climbing and bouldering.
Abby said: “When I looked at what Jess had produced for the sessions I was in tears, it is exactly what I wanted and I wish it was around when I needed it.
“Each week will focus on different words and feelings and the group will have that opportunity to share if they want to.
“They will also have the chance to do some small group work with jess, share and unpick thoughts and feelings alongside also being able to develop their confidence and skill level with climbing.
“So they’re getting something good out of it rather than focusing on the negatives like a really bad appointment or being in loads of pain.
“But if people come and they don’t feel like climbing that week, that’s also okay. There’s no expectation that someone has to put a harness on if they’re in pain that day.
“So it is quite soft slow paced programme rather than it being all skills skills skills.”
Sessions will welcome around 12 to 14 women each week and there is no hard deadline for signing up or pressure to come to every session.
The programme is open to those living with any women’s health condition – including endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS, fibroids, hysterectomy, ovarian cancer, peri-menopause or surgical menopause.
Sessions will start on Tuesday 3 March and take place every Tuesday from 6.45pm until 9am for 12 weeks.
People interested in booking a place on the programme can get in touch with Molly Campion via email at [email protected]
