DD Charity Update - October 2024

As the golden colours of autumn settle in this year, we've partnered with 3 charitable organisations - Mandem Meetup, Adventure Therapy and Bush Adventures CIC.

Read on to find out more!

Mandem Meetup

With two locations based in Wolderhampton and Manchester, Mandem Meetup is a UK charity dedicated to making a difference within Men's mental health and wellbeing.

We caught up with Mandem Meetup Facilitator, Frazer Humphreys, who tells us more about the organization, and how he got stuck into the great work they do.

(Mandem Meetup Facilitator - Frazer Humphreys)

1. Tell us about Mandem Meetup!

Mandem Meetup is a grassroots charity promoting, correcting and improving the conversation around men’s mental health and wellbeing. We provide an open, inclusive community for all those who identify as a man, integrating a range of social, holistic and more ‘traditional’ forms of clinical support, ranging from psycho-social interventions and recreational activities, to practical advice and guidance, as well as talking therapy and more.

2. How did you become involved?

I have been involved with the Mandem Meetup Wolves from the very start. I know the founders of Mandem Meetup Wolves very well; I have worked with Jamie in my previous years and I have known Christian a few years. I noticed that they both started going on hikes together, I used to hike with my dad as a child. I then attended a couple of the hikes with Jamie and Christian, and then from that moment I have been involved ever since.

3. What is the best part of working for Mandem Meetup?

The best part of working for Mandem Meetup is the great sense of achievement that we feel when someone tells us how good they are feeling within themselves. To be able to let men be themselves without judgement and without any expectations whatsoever. Our motto is "Come as you are. You are welcome here", and this motto is what we stand by at any of our events.

4. What is the plan for the DD Hammocks & Tarps?

The plan for the DD Hammocks & Tarps is to get the men outside camping in nature and experiencing life outside of the concrete jungles that we face every day. Not only for the men but to also get families outside in nature as well.

5. Where can our followers find out about the good work Mandem Meetup is doing?

You can find us on the internet at https://www.mandemmeetup.org/

To help out all the staff, volunteers and members of the Mandem Meetup enjoy and explore the outdoors while experiencing the healing benefits of nature, we've donated 20 sets of our DD Charity Edition Scout Hammocks and Scout Tarps. We hope they're enjoyed for many more adventures to come!

Adventure Therapy

As another UK based registered charity, Adventure Therapy works hard to bring positive change to the lives of those of all ages with unique health conditions, using the joy and power of the outdoors.

Amy Weekes, Project Coordinator tells us more about her experiences within Adventure Therapy.

(Aventure Therapy Project Coordinator - Amy Weekes)

1. Tell us about Adventure Therapy

Adventure Therapy exists to improve the emotional and physical wellbeing of children, young people and adults with unique health conditions through outdoor and adventure-led activities. This means we support people with physical disability, mental health, learning disabilities and life shortening and changing conditions. We have a range of 20 different outdoor activities, including: bushcraft, archery, horse-riding, surfing and rock climbing.

2. How did you become involved?

My inspiration for working with Adventure Therapy comes from my mother’s incredible work with her own charity, which provided activities for children with acquired brain injuries. I had the privilege of volunteering with her organization, and when the need arose for them to expand, they joined forces with Adventure Therapy. This charity opened up the opportunity for me to take on a more active role in fundraising and coordinating activities.

In addition to this, I have a personal belief in the transformative power of the outdoors. Spending time in nature and engaging in adventure activities can have a profound impact on well-being, and I’m passionate about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the chance to experience that.

3. What do you enjoy the most working for Adventure Therapy?

One of my favourite aspects of working with Adventure Therapy is being directly involved in the outdoor activities and supporting participants as they engage with nature. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the transformation that takes place. Whether it's a sense of accomplishment after trying something new, the joy of overcoming a personal challenge, or simply the peace that comes from spending time outdoors, these moments highlight how much these experiences benefit the participants.

Watching how these activities boost confidence, improve physical health, and foster social connections is truly inspiring. It's not just about the activities themselves—it's about the lasting impact they have on people’s lives. Knowing that our work can make such a difference, helping individuals feel more connected, empowered, and fulfilled, is what makes my role so meaningful.

4. What is the plan for the DD Hammocks & Tarps?

We’re incredibly grateful for the donation of DD hammocks and tarps, as they will play a vital role in our bushcraft and camping trips. These items will allow us to create comfortable and accessible outdoor spaces for our participants, regardless of their physical or cognitive needs. For people with complex conditions, being in nature can offer a unique therapeutic environment, and these hammocks and tarps will help us make the outdoors more inviting and accessible.

The versatility of these items will enable participants to fully immerse themselves in the natural world, whether they’re learning survival skills, practicing mindfulness, or simply enjoying a peaceful rest surrounded by nature. For some, this might be their first experience of spending a night outdoors, and these hammocks and tarps will provide a safe, supportive way for them to engage with the adventure.

5. Where can our followers find out about the good work Adventure Therapy is doing?

You can find out more about us at www.adventuretherapy.org.uk.

With our donation of 5 sets of DD Charity Edition Scout Hammocks and Scout Tarps, we hope that the beneficiaries and team members at Adventure Therapy will continue to find new ways to enjoy the healing benefits of nature.

Bush Adventures UK C.I.C.

Based in Suffolk, Bush Adventures UK CIC are a not for profit community interest company that specialises in working with challenging behaviour and SEN children who have been removed from education.

We catch up with various members of the Bush Adventures UK team for their perspectives on the work that they do for those they care for and teach.

1. Tell us about Bush Adventures UK.

Amy Bateman (Events Manager): "Bush Adventures UK is a Community Interest Company (CIC) established in 2019. The organisation operates primarily in Thetford, Norfolk, and Suffolk, offering outdoor adventure activities aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being through nature. Their activities cater to a wide range of participants, from children to adults, with programmes designed to support educational development and social inclusion.

We offer a variety of outdoor experiences, including archery, axe throwing, canoeing, paddleboarding, survival skills, bushcraft and more. These activities are not only recreational but also focus on emotional development and mental health improvement, especially for those with specific needs. We operate with a strong commitment to social impact, directing its profits towards supporting mental health initiatives and increasing access to outdoor activities for underserved communities."

2. How did you become involved?

Dan (Instructor): "I got involved with Bush Adventures through working for a local school. We did some Bushcraft sessions with Bush Adventures and I was doing a Forest School qualification at the time and applied for a job with Bush Adventures and got it."

3. What is the best part of working for Bush Adventures UK?

Dan (Instructor): "I’ve worked in outdoor education for the last nearly 25 years and I love working in the outdoors. One of the best things about working for Bush Adventures is being able to combine my passion for being in the outdoors and working with young people and teaching them skills or benefit them in life."

4. What is the plan for the DD Hammocks & Tarps?

Max (Instructor): "DD hammocks and Tarps are a fantastic way to teach proper shelter design along with a plethora of different skills. First off there are 5 different knots that need to be learnt to put a hammock and tarp up, all off which can be used for other projects within provision. The ability to manipulate the tarp to whatever position allows are young people to understand different set ups they could use for various weather related conditions. Hammocks are also used within bush adventures as a safe space for young people to go when they need and relax, possibly to regulate or to practice other relaxation methods like meditation."

5. Where can our followers find out about the good work Bush Adventures UK is doing?

www.facebook.com/bushadventuresuk

www.instagram.com/bushadventuresuk

www.bushadventuresuk.org

In order to help expand the outdoors adventures of Bush Adventures UK CIC, we have made a donation of 12 sets of DD Scout Hammocks and Scout Tarps, and we hope the many beneficiaries of this hard working organisation will enjoy them!

If you know of a charity, group or cause with a focus on the outdoors and a passion for helping those less fortunate get out into nature that would benefit from some free outdoor equipment, PLUS a spot on the DD Charity Blog to showcase their efforts, we would love to hear from you!

Help us support even more people, and get involved by getting in touch with us via our DD Charity contact form.