Who, Where & Why...
Dafydd is one of our Volunteer Wellness Walk Leaders.
Dafydd is a fully qualified Lowland Leader & like all of the team he also has qualifications in First Aid for Mental Health, Outdoor First Aid and Safeguarding.
Dafydd is based in Gwynedd, North Wales.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a Wellness Walk Leader
I have always had a passion for walking and love to explore new areas. Having suffered with my mental health in the past , I thought that Wellness Walks was a great avenue for me to follow and to help others and give back to the community. Which I felt that there was a lack of something like this available.
Also I get to share my passion for walking with different people.
What were your expectations before training started? How did you feel?
I felt fairly confident of my skills before starting the training ( in good conditions), I was definitely fair weather walker. I was really anxious before the training but was made to feel at ease straight away.
The level of training was way above what I expected and has given me a massive boost in my navigation skills. I now practice my skills at every opportunity including some night navigation. Also I have been able to teach basic map reading skills to my group, so that they can gain confidence and learn to explore the countryside.
None of this would have been possible without the tuition received on the training and assessment days.
Which part of the qualification process did you enjoy the most & why?
Spending time with Kelvyn and Helen. They made us all feel so relaxed, but still managed to get the content over. Their passion for walking/the outdoors was truly inspirational.
What's been the personal inpact of becoming a Wellness Walk Leader?
I have become a really good listener and it has given me a real sense of purpose.
I just love the wealth of knowledge that my group has. Everyone has something to share and the variety is immense. So there is always something to talk about and learn.
Can you share a memorable moment from one of your walks?
There is one person in my group who suffers with social anxiety and the 1st time we met they didn’t want to get out of their car, now they are the 1st out.
On one occasion we had an Ishay Monk give us a meditation session on the end of our walk, it was a new experience for most of the group.
How has this role impacted your own mental health, confidence, or skills?
My mental health and confidence has improved considerably. My skills have also improved, so much that I’m teaching basics to my group.
Final Thoughts
If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering volunteering with Wellness Walks, what would it be?
Go for it, you won’t regret it. It’s has been truly life changing.
Where do you think your own journey with Wellness Walks will go? More qualifications? Different Locations? Become a mentor to new volunteers?
All of the above 🤣
How would you describe your experience with Wellness Walks in three words?
Positive. Life-changing. Rewarding.