Sonder Bikes
Ten grassroots projects using walking, woodland, climbing and growing to support mental health recovery — from memorial night walks to five-day residentials.
"Running has been my saviour through bouts of depression and anxiety. I know what it's like to stare into the abyss, to think there is no hope of getting better. But running has helped, and helped a lot."
That's Anthony Oram, a designer and runner from Somerset. He chose the Alpkit Foundation for his 1% for the Planet contribution partly because of that personal experience. He's far from unusual. Most people who spend time outside have some version of this story.
What is rarer is the infrastructure that turns individual experience into programmes reaching people who don't yet have it: trained leaders, a kit loan pool, a small grant that keeps something running through the winter months. For more than a decade, the Alpkit Foundation has been funding that infrastructure. These are ten of the projects.
On foot
Next Stage supports people with mental health challenges and learning disabilities in supported living projects across the North West. In 2019, with a Foundation grant, three staff completed Hill and Mountain Skills training with Mountain Training and the BMC. That investment unlocked monthly wellbeing walks to Snowdon, Ben Nevis, Coniston, Kinder Scout and the Lakes.
Eighty-four people covered 130km in a single year. Feedback from participants ranged from "the best day of my life" to "hiking makes me forget any bad thoughts." Some had never visited the Lake District. Several started talking about moving there.
In West Cumbria, the Vulture Club found a different barrier to the same goal. They support people recovering from mental ill health, addiction, and social isolation, and already had a qualified mountain leader and a group eager to get into the fells. What they were short of was kit. Through the Foundation and the Continuum project, members were equipped with waterproof jackets, fleeces and walking trousers. Then they were off.
Into the woods and garden
KindleWoods CIC runs woodland wellbeing programmes for adults experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD and self-harm. Sessions are in the trees, not a therapy room: bushcraft skills, confidence-building, and strategies for wellbeing alongside other people in a relaxed outdoor setting. One participant arrived three years ago in the grip of debilitating depression. He is now an assistant woodland wellbeing practitioner.
Bridge Collective is a social enterprise offering people with mental health challenges opportunities for social contact and mutual support through nature and outdoor experiences. One summer they ran a residential weekend in Devon: woodland walks, nature watching, campfire cooking, drawing with charcoal made from twigs in the fire.
"My visit to Steps Bridge felt like renewing a vow, my vow to love, be mindful of, and respect Nature. Nature is there and gives to all of us. All we need to do is see, hear, feel and breathe its diversity and healing magic."
At Livability Holton Lee in Dorset, the Flourish project brings the same instinct to soil. Horticultural therapy for 30 people living with disability, illness, loneliness and addiction. The Foundation funded seeds: leeks, beans, tomatoes, sunflowers, sweet peas, and a lot more besides.
"Purchasing these seeds has significantly helped our Flourish horticultural project to keep running, a vitally important project that connects this group of people, helping them to make friends, learn new skills and improve their mental and physical health."
Challenge and recovery
For people dealing with trauma, the challenge of outdoor adventure does something that gentler approaches sometimes cannot. Climbing Out was founded in 2010 by Kelda Wood. Their five-day residential programmes combine kayaking, abseiling, rock climbing, gorge scrambling and hill walking with mind management and personal development coaching. About 50 people take part each year.
In Scotland, the Forth Valley Recovery Centre takes a different approach to the same challenge: outdoor activity alongside substance misuse recovery. Run by volunteers who are themselves in recovery, FVRC runs weekly Recovery Ramblers walks and outdoor activity days across Forth Valley. A Foundation grant helped fund camping, walking, climbing and canoeing trips in the Scottish Highlands.
"Being able to offer these extended trips will really benefit the members and volunteers taking part. The ripple effect from the enhanced wellbeing of our participants radiates out to children, partners, relatives who have been affected by addiction and the recovery of our participants."
Speaking up
Not every project the foundation supports is about direct programme delivery. Some are about changing the conversation.
Cameron Grant loved the outdoors. He took his own life at 21, after a seven-year battle with depression. To mark what would have been his birthday, his parents organise an annual night walk near Hampton-in-Arden in Solihull, open to walkers aged 8 to 80. The Cameron Grant Memorial Trust continues to support young people with mental health by getting them outdoors and encouraging them to speak out.
"We do this to remember Cameron, to raise awareness of young suicide, and to encourage all who are suffering in silence to speak up and ask for help."
Jake walked 1,500 miles from Nottingham to Pulpit Rock in Norway, raising money for Mind. The Foundation supported his kit. His reason for going was simple.
"I want to play a part in trying to normalise mental illness. People need to start viewing mental illness the same as physical illness. There should be no shame in suffering from mental illness."
The Alpkit Foundation supports grassroots projects across the UK using outdoor activity for health, wellbeing, and community connection. Grants are open to small organisations working with the people who need it most.