Spring has been a busy and rewarding season for Positive Steps Outdoors, with recent weeks taking us from the trails of Rostrevor to the Peak District, from business wellbeing events to community healthy hikes, and from podcast conversations to exciting new youth programmes.

Although each experience has been different, the reason behind them has remained the same: helping people experience the benefits of getting outdoors, moving at their own pace and reconnecting with others in meaningful ways.

Supporting workplace wellbeing with Newry Chamber

Mental Health Awareness Week gave us a fantastic opportunity to work alongside Newry Chamber for their Corporate Patrons Healthy Hike in Kilbroney Forest Park.

The morning began at the Cloughmore Centre, where attendees enjoyed tea, coffee, scones and the chance to catch up before heading outdoors with the PSO team for a guided walk through the forest trails.

With views across the Mourne Mountains, Carlingford Lough and the Cooley Peninsula, along with plenty of craic along the way, it was a timely reminder that some of the most valuable conversations happen away from desks and meeting rooms.

For organisations, wellbeing initiatives can sometimes feel like another item to schedule. Taking people outdoors changes the dynamic. Walking side by side creates space for more natural conversation, stronger connections and the chance to step away from the usual pressures of working life, even for a few hours.

That made the event especially fitting for Mental Health Awareness Week, where this year’s focus was on action. Supporting wellbeing does not always require a grand gesture. Sometimes it starts with simply putting on a pair of walking boots and getting outside together.

Healthy hikes with HAPANI

Another recent highlight saw us heading into the hills above Rostrevor with a brilliant group of young people from HAPANI, the Belfast charity supporting individuals from the Horn of Africa community.

Outdoor plans do not always go exactly as expected, and when wildfires elsewhere in the Mourne Mountains meant a last-minute change of location, our experienced Mountain Leaders and Coaches adapted the route to ensure the group could still enjoy a safe and engaging day outdoors.

The hike took in forest paths, open moorland and landmarks including the Cloughmore Stone, with plenty of opportunities to learn about the local flora, fauna and geology along the way.

As with all our Healthy Hikes, the focus went well beyond physical activity. Participants were introduced to mindfulness techniques that encourage them to slow down, take notice of their surroundings and carry those skills into other areas of life.

For young people especially, time outdoors can create valuable space for confidence-building, reflection and positive shared experiences.

Taking Green Therapy to the Peak District

In May, Positive Steps Outdoors also supported the XIV World Congress on Mountain Medicine in Hathersage, Derbyshire.

Set in the Peak District National Park, the congress brought together healthcare professionals and mountain medicine specialists from around the world for three days of talks, workshops and practical learning.

As part of the wider programme, PSO delivered six guided Healthy Hikes, giving delegates the opportunity to experience the restorative benefits of movement outdoors alongside the conference sessions.
Some routes followed peaceful woodland trails through Rough Wood and Grindleford Forest, while others introduced more elevation with walks towards Stanage Edge and Carrhead Rocks, opening up expansive Peak District views.

Reflecting on the experience, Alan Elwood said:

“What has really struck me is how people with diverse backgrounds, from physiotherapists to people with very stressful jobs where other people’s lives are hanging in the balance on the decisions they make, have expressed such gratitude and thankfulness for the opportunity to get out on a walk and just be mindful in nature.”

Caroline Hart added:

“We’ve had the opportunity to take extremely busy, mostly medics, out into the mountains to slow down, to see what’s around them, to feel it, to connect with each other, to connect with nature and probably to connect with themselves.”

That sense of impact was reflected by delegates too. Participant Hannah said:

“I really enjoyed the experience. It was a great space to chat, have some silence, practise mindfulness and experience nature in a different way than I normally would. As part of the medicine conference, I’ve had a wonderful time.”

Throughout the hikes, participants were invited to slow the pace at intervals for short guided mindfulness moments, helping them switch gears mentally as well as physically.

These walks may have taken place hundreds of miles from home, but the principles were exactly the same as those we apply here in Northern Ireland: movement, connection, reflection and shared experience.

Supporting young people through the Ignite Community Programme

We have also been delighted to receive funding from the LFT Charitable Trust to support healthy hikes for young people taking part in the Ignite Community Programme, coordinated by Young Social Innovators.

This is an exciting development for Positive Steps Outdoors, particularly because the Trust’s values align so closely with our own belief in resilience, wellbeing, connection and creating positive life opportunities through outdoor experiences.

Planning is already underway, and we are looking forward to supporting young people through Healthy Hikes designed to build confidence, strengthen relationships and encourage positive mental wellbeing.

We know from experience that the outdoors can offer young people something increasingly valuable: space to reflect, reset and reconnect.

Talking about the power of walking

Spring also gave us the chance to join the wider wellbeing conversation, with Alan appearing on The Easy Wellness Podcast with Vinny Hurrell and Cate Conway.

The discussion focused on something simple but powerful: walking. As Alan explained:

“Walking gives people a practical way to step away from stress, reconnect with the environment around them and support their wellbeing in a way that feels achievable.”

The episode explored Green Therapy, nervous system regulation, and why time in nature can be such an effective tool when life feels busy or overwhelming.

For us, it was a welcome opportunity to reinforce a message we believe strongly in: wellbeing does not always need to be complicated. Sometimes the most positive step is simply getting outside and beginning.

Looking ahead

Looking back over the past few months, what stands out is not just the variety of events but the range of people we have had the privilege of working with.

Business leaders, conference delegates, young people, community organisations and individuals all come to outdoor experiences with different goals, but the benefits are often remarkably similar. Time outdoors creates space to think more clearly, move more freely and connect more naturally.

As we head into summer, we are looking forward to helping even more people take positive steps outdoors. Get in touch if Green Therapy events would be suitable for your workplace or community group.