Gloucester Service User Support Team
2009 saw us work with the Gloucester service user group to provide them with an outdoor experince to help the group become a team.
Dave and Debbie came to us with an idea, we worked together to turn the idea into a seven week program of outdoor activites designed to build the group into a team. Each week the group spent a day with us working together to learn some skills for the expedition at the end.
As each week passed they became more of a team, working together, helping, encouraging and enjoying the challenges we put before them. On week five they set of to climb their first mountain, Pen Alt Mawr in the Brecon Beacons. After a good walk we found ourselves on the top enjoying the occasional veiw as the clouds broke up. This day was the final preperation for the expedition the following week, a trip to Snowdonia, and the challenge to wild camp and then climb Cader Idris, the 'Giants Seat'.
Dave, Debbie, and a team of four joined two of our staff for the expedition in April, it was to be an awesome experience for us all.
"The whole course was a brilliant experience and the things that we have done would never have crossed my mind beforehand. I will try anything these days and I feel confident in all aspects of my life. It's something I would do again, the team work was brilliant and everyone worked together".
Christina Lawlor .
The Expedition from SUST point of view:
Despite the wind, the snow and the utter steepness, the dynamics of the party became stronger and the team ethics kicked in. When someone found it difficult to carry their pack another would chip in and help them out. Each time people were struggling and losing confidence, there were others around to support and encourage them to keep going.
Finally the group made it to the 893 metre summit after a few hours hard slog and took a brilliant group photo confirming their amazing achievment. They had trekked up through the clouds and then had the opportunity that few ever have to stand above the clouds and look down over the Welsh countryside.
Dave Stork says
"Coming down the mountain they were an absolute team, working together and helping each other, they really bonded. The group worked very well together as a team and went beyond all my expectations. I'm proud of each and everyone of them, not just on the mountain trek but during the whole seven week course".