VETERANS suffering from psychological injuries have had an outdoor course designed especially for them – with the main base held at a Catterick Garrison recovery centre.

Help for Heroes-run Phoenix House in the garrison is the designated base for a series of courses which will lead to an outdoor qualification from the Mountain Training Board – thanks to its easy access to the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and the Lake District.

Successful candidates will take away the qualification which will enable them to have a career in the outdoors as a leader of walking groups – but will also boost confidence and well-being for those wishing to take part as part of their therapy.

As an introduction to the scheme, 12 veterans recently spent four days walking in the Yorkshire Dales learning skills such as map reading, rope work, reading synoptic charts, and geology and, now the Help for Heroes-funded course provider, Adventure Quest (UK), is set to run three more such sessions during 2016.

Managing director Paul Lefever said the course was unique in that it was specifically devised for people experiencing mental ill-health and is delivered by those who understand the difficulties that many face when leaving the Armed Forces.

“Developing a respectful relationship with the natural world is recognised as being beneficial to a person’s mental and physical well-being.

“We pay specific attention to providing practical application of leadership skills and focus on building self-awareness, self-development and personal motivation,” he said.

The mountaineering–based activities combine both formal and informal learning. Not all participants want to gain qualifications - some just want the confidence to safely go hiking and enjoy the therapeutic peace and quiet of the countryside.

All of them though benefit from being with like-minded people with similar backgrounds and who can empathise with their situation.

Former soldier Ben Mead served with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) for nine years and has suffered from mental illness, including PTSD, ever since.

He said: “I have experienced some terrible times with my PTSD with some nasty results, and have undergone loads of treatment but the mountain skills course was totally amazing as it helped me understand my PTSD in more depth and helped me rediscover the “real Ben” - the keen outdoorsman who used to live for mountain walking."

Help for Heroes has supported the organisation with grant funding of £106,943 since May 2015.

This year’s Introduction to Mountain Skills courses to be run from Phoenix House Recovery Centre are on May 3 to 6 and November 7 to 10. Visit www.adventurequestuk.org.