A connection only the outdoors can spark. A Simple Therapy hike filled with adventure, connection, and community, supported by the Alpkit Foundation.
Nature has a unique way of bringing people together.
We were able to take a small group of incredible people on a day trip out of London and complete a beautiful 4.5-hour hike filled with adventure, connection, and community.
From brave first-timers stepping into the unknown, to a few (muddy!) tumbles. The day was full of resilience, openness, laughter, and the kind of deep human connection that only the outdoors can spark.
When adults experience loneliness and low mood, being able to connect and build a sense of community whilst improving physical and mental wellbeing can have a massive impact. Combine this with walks in the outdoors and you have a powerful tool to support people develop strategies to improve their mental health outside of the counselling room. However, it can sometimes be difficult for some to access or feel confident taking part in this kind of activity.
Danielle is the founder of Simple Therapy CIC, which was started in order to offer people free counselling and mental health support. While therapy remains at their core, it became clear that healing was different for everyone and so being able to offer various support options meant they could widen their impact. As she explained when applying to the Alpkit Foundation.
“Not everyone wants to sit in a chair for 50 minutes, and that’s okay. Through feedback and my own journey, I’ve expanded my skills and embraced what has helped me most over the past 10 months: movement, nature, and community. That’s why we’re now a wellness collective, a space for healing, fun, and connection through diverse therapy and wellness experiences. “
Based in London, previous walks have included routes in Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park. But they wanted to be able to offer a proper outdoor experience. Somewhere away from the city to provide a safe and welcoming space for participants to step away from the pressures of daily life and the digital world, engage in meaningful conversation, and experience the grounding benefits of being in nature.
“…because access to nature shouldn’t be a privilege. While the outdoors is “mostly” free, for many in London, limited green space and the cost of travel make it hard to explore. When we spoke to our community, they told us they wanted to connect with nature beyond the city, but didn’t want to go alone, and often had to justify the cost of travel.
That’s why we applied to the Alpkit Foundation, to help remove those barriers. At Simple Therapy Outdoors, we believe nature is essential for wellbeing and we’re committed to making it accessible for all.”
We were delighted to offer support for this initial group hike, where funding went to cover train fares out to Balcombe in West Sussex. Despite damp conditions, the group embraced the experience and the positive feedback showed just how powerful shared time in nature can be. It was amazing to hear back from Danielle on the impact it had and we really appreciated hearing how different aspects of the day demonstrated the positivity of these experiences.
- Faced with outdoor challenges such as mud, steep hills, or path closures, more experienced hikers instinctively supported those with less experience. This nurturing environment fostered a sense of community and inclusion.
- Age became irrelevant, despite an age range of 21 to 44. Participants connected through shared experience, not age category.
- Everyone had a place and a sense of belonging.
- Real-Time Connection - Conversations flowed naturally, with a genuine sense of togetherness, which is especially meaningful considering these individuals had never met before. A clear sign of the camaraderie and community that was built during the event.
“This event was not just successful, it was transformative. What began as a hike turned into a shared experience of growth, community, and support. It’s clear that the impact went far beyond the trail, and that Simple Therapy Outdoors has tapped into something meaningful.
This is only the beginning.”
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