Outdoor Therapy to support NHS and Police Staff

Aim

You can help to improve the mental health and wellbeing of NHS and Police frontline workers due to COVID-19 through free outdoor activities.

Update - 09 October 2020

We were pleased to welcome 19 people to Go Ape this week and improve emotional wellbeing and morale among colleagues:

"The team haven’t stopped talking about it, and it seemed to really pull us all together while at the same time offering some much needed light relief from the busy period we’ve all had over the summer."

“Great day out, I’m proud I managed to conquer some fears”

Update - 18 September 2020

We have received over 40 referrals to this special project in the last 10 days. NHS and Police Frontline workers have told us they are struggling to an extent which is beyond what we ever imagined. They have said how time spent outdoors in nature and adventure would make a vital difference. How our charity could improve their emotional wellbeing, family relationships, morale amongst colleagues and positivity. We have started arranging activities already - but we need to do so much more to help. 

Please help us to hit our target

We need your support for this very special and unique mission: and improve the mental health and wellbeing of NHS and Police frontline workers, as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The emotional strain and turmoil in supporting the communities they serve - the doctors, nurses, specialists and frontline Police - who have been there 24 hours a day, working tirelessly to do whatever they can, for us.

We have identified that as a result of COVID-19, many NHS and Police Frontline workers will experience mental health issues, including PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The effect on personal and family life could be catastrophic.  

The power of spending time outdoors in nature and adventure should not be under-estimated. It can improve vitality, aid rehabilitation, provide a sense of accomplishment and of overall wellbeing. 

Grit. Determination. Resilience. Fortitude. We recognise the qualities of the frontline workers who have supported us, many of which align with our ethos and vision as a charity.

What we can provide

We offer various activities,  including surfing, paddle-boarding, coasteering and kayaking. And we also provide climbing, caving, archery, horse riding, mountain biking, Nordic walking and hiking. We arrange Treetop Adventures and zipwire experiences.

We put mud in places - and smiles on faces! We help people to gain a new perspective.

Our activities and experiences will be provided free of charge to the participant.

Where we operate

We are based in Devon, and proactively provide activities in Devon and Cornwall, but we can offer activities through a range of associated providers and instructors to support our mission. This means that depending on funds raised, we can support NHS and Police frontline workers throughout England and Wales through new and emotive experiences - and improve emotional wellbeing in your community.

You can change lives through adventure

We will get through this together as a nation and our charity, with your generous support, will be there for when we move forward, to provide free outdoor and adventure-led activities. These can be as 1:1 sessions or as part of a group, which can also improve morale amongst colleagues following the trauma they have experienced together, to save lives.

You can help us to improve mental health and wellbeing - whilst saying thank you to the NHS and Police for all they have done to support you and your community.

For every £1,000 raised we can provide a 1:1 activity for 20 NHS or Police frontline workers. That's 20 nurses, doctors, specialists or police frontline workers whose mental health and wellbeing can be improved through Adventure Therapy and your support.

"It helped with anxiety for days following"

We make a positive difference in challenging and complex lives. Your donation, of whatever size, will make a vital difference.

Some quotes from parents, of children we have helped through time spent outdoors in nature and adventure:

"Adventure Therapy gives Daniel access to opportunities to help him gain skills and abilities he wouldn't otherwise be able to work towards" 

“Lennox had a fabulous day. He managed to conquer his fears and ‘win’ which made him very happy.”

Mum adds, “Coordination, achievement, resilience, focus, happiness. He had it all. The best thing was, he was really scared to do the zipwire and when he finally did, the whole crowd clapped. Very special”.

"Before her surf session she was anxious and nervous. Following it she was lifted and excited"

This project successfully funded on 3rd December 2020