Climbing Out courses give military veterans the tools they need to manage their own mental wellbeing … and help them learn how to be happy again. Team Forces is so proud to be helping this inspirational organisation to deliver life changing courses to our military personnel and Veterans. 

Climbing Out has just held a second life-changing course in North Wales, the five day Climbing Out Level two programme was attended by participants who had previously completed an entry level course; 13 took part with seven individuals being Veterans or still serving.

The week involved an increase in challenge, responsibility, ownership and autonomy as well as each participant doing a short presentation on a subject around mental health that’s helped them in their own recovery. The talks they all gave were mind-blowingly impressive and showed how far each individual has come on their recovery journey. They also stepped up to a physical challenge by taking on six Welsh 3,000m peaks, including a sunrise summit of Tryfan involving a 4am start to get to the top in time. It was a truly magical moment.

Helen – ‘I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to be surrounded by such wonderful, inspiring people in beautiful surroundings and pushing myself further on my Climbing Out journey. Listening to others around how they help themselves has gone a long way to helping me make the changes that will give me the balance I really need.’ 

Feedback from participants

Shaun G – “The effect on me has been life changing. Now I can start to rebuild my life, live my life to the full and enhance and encourage people to do the same, so from my ? thank you for supporting me.”

Ian – “After the level one course I came away feeling like my whole position and life could move forwards, I was in a good place. Approaching the level two course I felt a ‘bring it on’ mind set but having actually attended the level two course and met my limitations, I now feel challenged, I feel determined, I have targets and goals ahead of me which I will meet. It might sound like a cliche but the level two course has helped me find and identify my limitations, now to push back – hard.”

Martin – “Climbing Out has helped me find myself once again. To see a beacon of light upon the horizon to guide me home. It has given me hope and the enabled me to see what it is I am fighting for. It’s been little steps each day, using the tools shown by Kelda and her team. These small steps have made a big path. Recently my father said to me “I finally have my son back”. This is all down to the Climbing Out team.”

Max – “Thank you to everyone who made the level 2 possible, it was the wake up and reflection time I needed to find myself again after beginning to lose my values. Being able to be around good people in a beautiful part of the world helped me refind my focus. I put trust into others again and it’s released so much tension inside of me. So for making that possible, thank you. I am more grateful than these words could ever say.”

Sarah – “Climbing Out has been the most helpful, and most awakening thing to ever happen to me, it has helped me more in those few days, than professional services have been able to do in 17 years. I’m so grateful to be given this life changing opportunity to grow, to push through previous fears and anxieties, to change my mindset, and to gain self confidence, a sense of purpose, and to meet wonderful like minded people along the way. Climbing Out has completely changed my life, my mindset, and thankfully, my future – which I now see and look forward to after so long. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted, the darkness has cleared, I’m no longer stuck, and I can’t wait for other people to experience this new life that Climbing Out enables us to have. Thank you!”

Josh – “Being on the program has opened up beliefs & courage I previously didn’t believe were in me. For this I am forever grateful.”

Andrew – “Attendance on this course was a game changer by strengthening self belief and confidence and re-enforcing the view that I was not alone in my suffering. The positive impact of this course cannot be overstated. Kelda and her team remain inspirational, compassionate and trustworthy.”

Max – “Thank you again for you and your amazing colleagues, and woofers. You all make me think I’m not half as bad as I think I am. So for that thank you.”

Sarah – “Thank you Kelda, you are an absolute inspiration, I really admire you for all you’ve done, and getting where you are now, with Climbing Out and with your own progress. I thank you for making such a huge change in my life, (and SO many others’) and opening my eyes again to what can be. I really appreciate being given this opportunity to grow and to shine, and it has been so helpful, I still struggle to word what actually clicked/changed, but the difference in myself, and my perspective, is just huge! I don’t think I can ever thank you as much as is needed. I’m very grateful to you for being so strong and making the change. Thank you.”

Gary – “On my level 1 you showed me the person I can become, and my level 2 you’ve shown me that I am worthy to become that person.”

Ash – “Having like minded people who have experienced similar traumas in life enabled me to open up again and talk about all aspects of my life without fear of judgement or being dismissed or misunderstood.” 

About Climbing Out

Climbing Out offers outdoor activity programmes aimed at rebuilding confidence, self-esteem and motivation in people who have been through a life changing injury, illness or trauma.

There are three layers to their programmes. They combine outdoor activities with mental resilience coaching whilst building long term friendships and support. This gives participants the tools to manage themselves, helping them to deal with not just what’s happened in the past or what they’re going through right now, but also any challenges they may face in the future. Climbing Out is passionate about developing people to have the tools so they can manage their own mental wellbeing, take responsibility for their lives moving forwards and fulfil their potential.

Climbing Out courses will give military veterans the tools they need to manage their own mental wellbeing … and help them learn how to be happy again.

Kelda Wood MBE, Founder of Climbing Out said, “Thank you so much for choosing to support Climbing Out. Every single penny will go to changing people’s lives – providing them with the tools to manage their mental wellbeing and move their lives forward. The grant from Team Forces will help us offer invaluable support to many members of the Armed Forces. We are really grateful for the support.”

Huge thank you to our Team Forces sponsors for contributing to the Good Causes Fund.

Without their generous support, life-changing courses like this would not happen.