A group of three friends have come together to form Beyond Six, a new community interest company. They aim to help at least 500 people improve their mental health and wellbeing being through group walks, events and retreats in nature over the next year.
To raise fund to meet this goal, Lauren Wheeler, 28 from Bicester in Oxfordshire, Rory Parsons, 37 from Banstead in Surrey and Deon Barrett, 30 from Addlestone in Surrey are taking part in the Snowdon Six Ways Challenge – climbing all six routes up and down Mount Snowden on 16 and 17th September 2021.
Together they will cover 49 miles, a combined 5,200 metre accent and plan to be walking for 36 hours.
The three met online via a shared love of nature, the outdoors and a passion for how it can help support and improve mental health.
Lauren says: “Nature is incredibly healing, and the outdoors can be a powerful tool in improving overall wellbeing. We want to help make it accessible and easy for people to get outside, in safe way, with a community who can provide that listening ear or support we all sometimes need.”
Over the last year, the team have organised free monthly walks all over the country including the Lake District, the Peak District and Wales, with around 20 people joining each time. Over 200 people have already benefited from the community walks, and the team now hope to extend their reach to help more people.
Lauren says: “Our aim is to help over 500 people over the next year, so we are fundraising to increase capacity, put on more walks, raise awareness and reach more people. Often people can feel unsure where to turn and taking that first step of signing up for a walk or trying something new is really scary so we’re keen to make hiking and the outdoors really accessible and friendly, and let everyone know they are welcome.”
Long term the team also have plans to create longer guides hikes and expeditions, events for children and workshops focused on outdoor skills.