Who, Where & Why...
Mike is one of our Volunteer Wellness Walk Leaders.
Mike 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.
Mike is based in Highland Perthshire.
Mike completed training just before winter - so we thought we'd catch up with him after his first walk....
What inspired you to apply to become a Wellness Walks Leader?
Over the years I’ve seen and experienced the benefits to good mental health of getting out into nature and walking through our beautiful countryside so I was keen to do something that would enable local people to see Highland Perthshire in a safe way. – so when I saw a post on Facebook advertising that funding had been received to expand the volunteer scheme to Highland Perthshire and asking for applicants… I applied!
What were your expectations before training started? How did you feel?
I didn’t really know what to expect from the training as all my previous hill walking and expedition training had been during my 30 years in the British Army…quite a different way of doing things! I was looking forward to learning more about keeping people safe, both physically and mentally, meeting the other wonderful Highland Perthshire volunteers and enjoying the challenging journey with them that we had over the 3 months of training.
Which part of the qualification process did you enjoy the most & why?
All of the courses, Lowland Leader, Outdoor First Aid, First Aid for Mental Health, and Safeguarding, were truly first class so I can’t name one that I enjoyed most so instead I’m going to say getting to know the other volunteers. We all came from different walks of life but came together with a common purpose to bring the joy of Wellness Walks to our local communities.
What was the most challenging part of gaining your qualifications?
The Lowland Leader qualification required me to record on the Mountain Training website ten walks before the training weekend and a further ten between training and the assessment…all 20 walks had to meet the set and strict criteria…which included logged walks being in areas I had never been before so that my navigation would be tested. Considering how much walking all across Scotland that I have done over the years, this was a real challenge…but fun to explore new area
What's been the personal inpact of becoming a Wellness Walk Leader?
Having the formal qualifications to back up my previous personal experience has made me much more confident in leading groups safely out on Wellness Walks.
I get to meet new people, chat about their experiences and share our combined knowledge of the local area with each other, it’s really rewarding.
Can you share a memorable moment from your first Wellness Walk?
My first walk was with a lovely couple of retired GPs from Aberfeldy who used to live in Crieff…and we found out that some years ago they came on holiday to the area and stayed in a holiday home…and it turned out to be the house that I moved into 3 years ago when I moved to the area!
What feedback or reactions have you received from participants?
The best feedback of all – the couple on my first ever Wellness Walk went straight home and immediately signed up to come on my next one just one week later!
How has this role impacted your own mental health, confidence, or skills?
I’ve always been an advocate of getting out and walking and observing nature but usually through my teaching of photography in the local area but the new qualifications have given me new and renewed opportunities to get out even more often and with different people and also the skills and confidence to know that I’m doing it safely and am fully backed up and supported by all the resources of the Wellness Walks charity.
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. The training is excellent and the community of people you’re joining are very special indeed. So if the opportunity to volunteer with Wellness Walks comes your way, don’t hesitate, grab it with both hands and don’t let go!
Where do you think your own journey with Wellness Walks will go?
My main aim now is to move up the qualification ladder and to complete the Hill and Moorland Leader course so that I can offer even more varied and interesting walks across Highland Perthshire.
How would you describe your experience with Wellness Walks in three words?
Fulfilling. Humbling. Fandabidozi!