Climbing Out supports people to get their lives back on track following life changing injury, illness or trauma, www.climbingout.org.uk

I attended Climbing Out in September 2026 at a time when I had been at rock bottom for quite a while. I was struggling to work and couldn’t leave the house at all. It felt like a huge step just to get in the car, drive to the Lake District, share a room with a stranger, and open myself up to working with others.

That week challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. I had to get outside, learn new skills, build daily “table legs” to support myself, and manage my emotions as they came. There were many tears, but also moments of real enjoyment, connection, and growth.

The hardest work actually began when I got back home. But the difference was, I wasn’t alone anymore. Being part of a group of people who are on a similar journey has made things feel more manageable. I’ve learned how to pick myself back up, how to sit with difficult emotions, and—most importantly—how not to stay in those dark places for as long.

I still have tough days, but they don’t last as long, and they don’t feel as overwhelming. What I learned during that week has stayed with me, and I’ve continued building on it ever since.

Climbing Out truly lives up to what it believes in. It helped me begin to climb out—and reminded me that I don’t have to do it alone.

This August I will be joining a group of those who have attended the programmes, and friends and family around that wish to join to walk Shropshire and join us on a day's hike in the beautiful Long Mynd to raise money for Climbing Out.

I have chosen Route 2 which is 17km walk.

Please can you help me raise fund - I know for me to attend at no cost and for 12 other people it would have cost the charity more than £15,000 + pounds so if i can even raise enough to pay for me space and pass it on to someone else I would really appreciate your support.