We’re joining the national conversation for Mental Health Awareness Week (11th to 17th May). This year’s theme is Action.

Most of us now understand that mental health matters. We talk more openly about stress, wellbeing and the importance of looking after ourselves. But knowing something is good for us and actually doing it are two very different things.

At Positive Steps Outdoors, we believe one of the best ways to support our wellbeing is to move from thinking about change to taking that first positive step.

Action starts with getting outside

Whether you are managing a busy construction project, leading a team, supporting a community group or juggling the pressures of everyday life, it is easy to feel stuck in a cycle of stress and routine.

Getting outdoors will not solve everything, but it can be a powerful place to start.

Our aim at PSO is to make that first step easier. We help remove the barriers that stop people getting into nature by supporting with the planning, transport, equipment and guidance needed to make outdoor activity feel accessible.

By introducing people to iconic locations, leading the walks and combining the experience with mindfulness techniques and coaching, we help people discover practical tools they can continue to use long after the walk is over.

Why Green Therapy works for everyone

Green Therapy brings together many of the things we know support positive mental health, including the 5 Steps to Wellbeing: connecting, being active, taking notice, learning and giving.

When people walk side by side in nature, conversations often feel easier. The usual barriers and hierarchies can fade into the background. Whether we are following a quiet forest trail or taking on a mountain path, moving through the landscape gives us space to connect with ourselves and with each other.

As our patron, Carl Frampton, often reminds us, staying active and connected are two of the most practical ways to maintain a healthy mind.

What is your positive step this week?

Mental Health Awareness Week is a reminder that awareness is only the beginning. Action is what helps create lasting change in our workplaces, our homes and our communities.

This week, we invite you to turn awareness into a positive step:

For organisations: consider the value of a Green Therapy Day to support team resilience, morale and connection. If you would like to explore how this could work for your team, we would be happy to talk it through.

For individuals: choose a specific time this week to leave the screen behind and spend time in a green space, even if it is just for twenty minutes.

Action is the bridge between knowing what is good for us and feeling the benefit.

Let’s move, connect and invest in our mental health together.

Take the first step

Explore our Green Therapy video to see how we can support your team, your group or your own wellbeing journey.