Join Beth, Maria, Mana, Andy and I for a breath-taking 55miles cycle (breath taking in terms of scenery but also due to the nature of the challenge) around the Isle of Arran on the 13th of May to raise money for Outdoors For You’s upcoming trip to Camas the week beginning the 12th of June 2023.

If you want to join the challenge, get in touch with me at mariana.popa13@gmail.com

Outdoors For You is a non-profit organisation (SCIO Charity status SC051780) that provides opportunities for refugees, people seeking asylum, and immigrants to enjoy Scotland’s fantastic outdoors.

Refugees and people seeking asylum face multiple barriers when it comes to building the confidence required to go outside and spend time in nature. Knowledge of green, safe spaces in the country of arrival and a lack of financial resources make up the biggest barriers to people reaching cultural capital required to explore their surroundings.

“Nature based leisure” and “horticultural therapy” has been shown to have great potential for improving the wellbeing of refugees and asylum seekers (Rishbeth et al., 2019). Some of the benefits identified in previous research included relief from stress due to attention being redirected to nature and getting a short break from the complicated and unsettling interactions with the Home Office.

“Camas is an outdoor activity centre on Mull. It is housed in 200-year-old cottages nestled in a beautiful bay. It’s a place of great beauty, off the grid and powered by renewable energy, where you can live simply, enjoying the natural rhythms of day and night, the nearness of nature and the warmth of community.”

Camas enables connections to nature, providing us with a space for informal socialising and opportunities to stay active by taking part in various outdoor activities, all factors that are known to have positive outcomes for wellbeing and inclusion.

The cost (~130 per client) covers 6 nights’ accommodation, 3 nourishing meals a day, and loads of outdoor activities, such as abseiling and kayaking

Having taken groups to Camas in the past, clients reported feeling a sense of belonging. Participating in collective activities (washing up, feeding chickens, taking care of the centre), outdoor activities (kayaking, abseiling, hikes), and solo and group reflections were all ways to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion.

If you would like to also take part in the challenge, please get in touch with Mimi at Volunteer.ofy@outdoorsforyou.co.uk for more details. Similarly, if you wish to complete the challenge from another city, go on a 55 miles cycle and keep us updated with your progress!