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Welcome to this double-bill in Ambleside, brought to you in partnership with Tracks&Dales.

Practical Mental Health Skills for Outdoor Leaders

As an outdoor professional, you know that supporting the mental wellbeing of the people you lead is essential. This CPD course gives you essential mental health first aid knowledge and practical skills to effectively support clients during outdoor activities from lowland walks to mountain adventures and paddlesports pursuits. You'll learn to recognize mental distress, communicate effectively, and de-escalate situations in dynamic outdoor environments.

By the end of this course, you’ll feel ready to engage in supportive conversations and apply effective strategies that can help prevent issues from escalating. This fosters a safer, more positive environment for everyone.

Participants consistently praise this engaging, practical course for its clear theory and hands-on activities. This blend makes the learning effective and directly applicable to real-world outdoor scenarios.

Who’s the course for?

All outdoor leaders are welcome on this course!

The course confers 1 CPD credit for current members of the Mountain Training Association (MTA), Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) and BAIML (BAIML Core). It's especially suitable if you're working toward or have qualified as a Lowland Leader, Hill & Moorland Leader, Mountain Leader, Winter Mountain Leader, International Mountain Leader, Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor or Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor.

What can I expect from this course?

First, we’ll explore the kinds of emotional distress and mental health problems that outdoor leaders are most likely to encounter. We’ll examine behavioural, verbal, and physical signs of distress so that you can confidently identify potential problems early. We then discuss factors that can cause distress in dynamic outdoor settings, like unfamiliar terrain or pushing comfort zones.

Next, we delve into how the brain and nervous system respond to stress. You might be surprised how emotional distress impacts performance and behaviour, as our bodies and minds are closely connected.

Then, we move on to hands-on practical mental health skills. You’ll learn to engage distressed individuals in supportive dialogue, practice de-escalation, and try out simple, effective calming techniques grounded in models like Polyvagal Theory.

You’ll have plenty of time for discussion with fellow outdoor leaders and breaks to digest your learning. Past attendees consistently highlight the practical, field-ready skills they’ve been able to put into immediate practice. Sign up today to create a safer and more positive environment for you and your clients!

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

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

Bringing Nature Connection into Outdoor Leadership

As outdoor leaders, we love those moments of awe and wonder in nature. And many of us are passionate about sharing its power.

Maybe you’ve asked yourself how you can create more opportunities for people to connect with nature, enjoy moments of wonder, and have a more immersive experience? This CPD course is designed to help you do just this!

Rooted in an evidence-based approach, it gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to bring accessible elements of nature connection into a range of outdoor adventure and educational activities. You’ll finish the day feeling confident in bringing nature connection into your work.

Participants praise this course for its strong blend of practical learning outdoors and clear, evidence-based content. They enjoy the supportive facilitation style, which creates a comfortable space for sharing. Attendees have deepened their own connection with nature, found fresh inspiration for their work, and were able to apply the techniques they learned right away.

What will I learn?

• The theoretical underpinnings of nature connection work, drawing on eco-psychology, positive psychology, and other frameworks
• The differences and similarities between nature contact and nature connection, and why this is important
• When it’s appropriate to bring intentional nature connection into recreational activities
• When sharing facts and knowledge fosters nature connection, and when it doesn't
• How to integrate hands-on, practical ways to bring nature connection into a day outdoors, whether that’s in bite-sized instalments or more substantive activities
• How to use the power of stories and emotions to engage your participants with nature
• How to guide two simple Nature-Based Mindfulness activities
• Why nature connection is important for human and planetary wellbeing
• How nature connectedness promotes pro-environmental behaviour
• Where to learn more about nature connection

Who’s the course for?

Bringing Nature Connection into Outdoor Leadership is designed specifically for outdoor leaders who want to help people experience a deeper nature connection during recreational or educational activities.

It’s suitable regardless of your experience level. If you’re new to the concept of nature connection and want to know more, the course will give you a solid foundation to work from. If already do bring nature connection into your work, you’ll gain theoretical grounding, hone your skills, and expand your techniques.

What can I expect from this course?

We’ll begin the day with a short theory session to lay the foundations. We then move outside to things out and share insights. Most of our time is spent in and with nature!

We first examine the evidence base for nature connection. We’ll discuss relevant concepts from eco-psychology and positive psychology, and their relation to nature connection. Then, we explore what nature connection is - and isn't. We also consider how the experience varies. Finally, we examine the Five Pathways model and how each fosters a deeper level of connection.

Then, we move outside for the practical part of the day. We start with a Nature-Based Mindfulness activity, which you’ll experience first and practice in small groups. We’ll take a deep dive into each of the Five Pathways. We discuss each pathway's foundation and examine activities to put it into practice. You'll have ample opportunity to experience and lead various activities, giving you the confidence to use them in your work.

The day winds up gently with a round table discussion. We’ll look at when and how to integrate intentional nature connection into the recreational or educational activities. We’ll discuss how to tailor the techniques to the activities you lead, so you can implement what you’ve learned right away.

We’ll take plenty of short breaks to help you feel relaxed and present throughout the day.

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

Information for both courses

Venue

Ambleside Parish Centre, Vicarage Rd, Ambleside LA22 9DH

Ambleside Parish Centre is situated next to St Mary's Church, opposite St Mary's Primary School and next to Rothay Park. It's a five minute walk from Ambleside bus station, and a short walk from the centre of Ambleside.

There's very limited parking as the parking lot belongs to the neighbouring church. We'll be in touch to help you arrange lift-shares, but please use public transport if you can.

What to bring

Our days will be a mix of theory, practice and reflective discussions. Most of the Mental Health Skills day is spent inside, but depending on the weather, we’ll spend most of our time outside on the Nature Connection day. Please bring a water bottle, thermos, packed lunch, snacks, lots of warm layers, waterproofs, sit mat or camping chair, pen, and notepad. We’ll provide mugs, hot water, oat/cow’s milk, instant coffee, and a selection of teas.

Credentials, delivery team & event partner

This course is delivered by Mia Walker, Founder of Leading in Nature. Mia is a Mountain Leader, NatureWell Facilitator, educator, and entrepreneur. She has delivered high-quality training in a wide range of settings, from outdoor centres to postgraduate programmes at universities. A member of the Mountain Training Association and the British Mountaineering Council, Mia holds a REC Outdoor First Aid certificate and a Certificate in Polyvagal Theory. Click here to learn more about Mia.

This double-bill is brought to you in partnership with Tracks&Dales, a community interest group based between the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales. Tracks&Dales supports people struggling with their mental health by taking them into rural environments to engage in activities that foster team building, confidence, self-esteem, and improved communication. Their goal is to build resilience and help individuals tackle the challenges they face.

CPD points & booking

Each course confers 1 CPD credit for  members of Mountain Training Association (MTA), Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) and BAIML (Mental Health Skills: BAIML Core; Nature connection: BAIML Peripheral). Please have your membership number to hand when you book, and make sure your membership is current.

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 us to complete the event in the system and assign your CPD point(s). Thank you & diolch.

Photo by Ian Cylkowski on Unsplash, diolch.