Climbing out of the therapy room

Andy, a dedicated professional at ClimbWell, also works full-time in the Mental Health Team within Student Services at the University of Cumbria. In a noteworthy contribution to the field of mental health support, he has written an insightful article for The British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). This article appears in the March 2025 issue of the University & College Counselling journal, a publication renowned for its focus on innovative counselling practices in further and higher educational settings.

In his article, Andy delves into the Climbing for Wellbeing project, an initiative he developed to enhance the mental health and well-being of students studying at the University of Cumbria. The 5-week project combines bouldering with therapeutic practices, aiming to provide students with a unique set of skills and help participants to manage their mental health and wellbeing. Through a thorough exploration of experiences setting up the project, he also explores the project's outcomes, highlighting the positive impacts on students' mental health, resilience, and sense of community within the university environment as well as his.