A pragmatic course for professionals who deliver outdoor recreational activities to a range of client groups. The course blends theory and practice to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to sensitively and professionally support people who experience emotional or mental distress during an outdoor activity.

Our Practical Mental Health Skills for Outdoor Leaders course is worth 1 CPD credit for Mountain Training Association (MTA) members and 1 Core CPD credit for BAIML members. It's suitable if you're working toward or have qualified as an International Mountain Leader, Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader, Hill & Moorland Leader and Lowland Leader. If you're not a member or candidate on these schemes, please ask Mia about participation and pricing.

Learning outcomes

On this day-long course, you’ll learn to:

• Identify the signs of emotional and mental distress in the context of an outdoor recreational activity, including:
  • How to assess a participant's level of mental and emotional wellbeing
  • How to assess whether a participant is able to continue the activity
• Develop the skills, knowledge, and attitude needed to support someone who is emotionally distressed, anxious, or experiencing a panic attack, including:
  • What happens in the nervous system when someone is outside of their physical or emotional comfort zone
• Implement practical and psychological interventions that are appropriate and realistic in a dynamic outdoor environment, including:
  • How to have a supportive conversation with a distressed participant
  • The relationship between practical physical care and the psychological wellbeing of a participant
  • Practical techniques to support someone to recover from an episode of anxiety or a panic attack
• Integrate mental health and wellbeing factors into an outdoor activity risk assessment, including:
  • Risk factors to consider before, during, and after the activity
• Promote a positive mental health culture in outdoor recreation and take preventive measures before an activity, including:
  • Questions to ask before the event
  • How to help participants feel emotionally safe right from the start
• Signpost participants to further sources of post-activity assistance

Venue

The Towers Active Learning Centre, Capel Curig, Conwy, LL24 0DR

The Towers is located off the A5 between Capel Curig and Betws-y-Coed, at the sharp bend in the road where the TÅ· Hyll (Ugly House) cafe is located. It’s served by the T10 bus, which runs along the A5 from Bangor to Corwen, with Bangor and Betws-y-Coed both having train stations. If you’re coming by car, it’s a straightforward drive but you’ll need to be mindful of the steep approach road to The Towers after you turn off the A5.

If you’re not local, The Towers offers both accommodation and campervan parking.

What to bring

Our day will be a mix of theory, practice and reflective discussions. Depending on the venue and weather, we’ll spend a good bit of time outside. Please bring a water bottle, thermos, packed lunch/snacks, warm layers, waterproofs, sit pad, pen, and notepad. We will provide mugs, hot water, oat and/or cows milk, instant coffee, and a selection of teas.

Our credentials

This CPD training course was developed by Caroline Schofield and Mia Walker.

Caroline is a qualified Eco-Psychology Practitioner, NatureWell Facilitator, Trainer, and Coach. She has two decades of professional experience delivering mental health and wellbeing services in the charitable and education sectors. Caroline is qualified to develop courses and deliver training to adults, including those with special educational needs (SEN) and mental health conditions.

Mia is a Mountain Leader, NatureWell Facilitator, educator, and entrepreneur. Over the past three decades, she has delivered high-quality training in a wide range of settings, from outdoor centres to universities. Mia holds a certificate in polyvagal theory and is undertaking a foundation course in eco-psychology practice.

CPD points & booking

You’ll need your membership number in order to book, so that we can allocate the CPD points. If you're not an MTA or BAIML member, please contact us if you wish to participate, as the listed price is exclusive to members of these organisations.

If you have any additional learning needs or accessibility requirements, please let us know in confidence when you book via our secure website.

What happens after the event

If you attend this event and it counts as CPD, your CPD point(s) will automatically be added to your record in due course. You will not need to add it yourself. Please allow up to 2 weeks for the workshop provider to complete the event in the system and assign your CPD point(s). Thank you a diolch.

Photos and feedback

We’d like your permission to use your photos and feedback on the day for marketing purposes, including on social media. It’s easy to refuse either while booking or on the day.

Cancellations and refunds

We aim to provide creative and professional workshops that are fairly priced – events which are good value for money as they’re run by experienced guides and facilitators. As a small business, our cancellation policy helps us ensure that our costs are covered and to protect the ongoing viability of our workshops.

• If you contact us more than 7 days prior to the start time of your event, we will give you a full refund.
• If you contact us between 7 and 2 days (48 hours) before the event start time, we will attempt to fill your space from the event waiting list. If we are successful, we’ll give you a full refund minus a £5 administrative fee.
• If you contact us less than 48 hours before the event start time we cannot provide a refund.
• If you’re unable to attend an event, you can transfer your ticket to a friend. If you’d like to do this, please email us their name, email address and mobile number.

Please read our Terms & Conditions carefully before you book as they include important information, such as the full details of our cancellation policy.

Questions?

Please contact us or call Mia at 07880 717905.

Need help?

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Photo credit Mia Walker.