Glasgow-based mental health charity Common Wheel supports people managing or recovering from mental illness and dementia by offering meaningful activities that work to improve mental wellbeing, increase skills, reduce isolation and challenge stigma. The charity’s four core projects – bikes, music, visual arts, and climbing – are all designed to help people reconnect with themselves and others.
Common Wheel first started offering climbing as part of a pilot project in 2018. Heather Brown, who is the Partnership Development Manager, said:
“It was suggested by our participants that we add a physical activity to go along with our creative and practical ones. Climbing came up as a good fit, and following the hugely positive feedback from our pilot, we knew we had to continue.”
Since then, the climbing sessions—held weekly at The Prop Store in Maryhill —have supported many individuals and have become a vital part of the charity’s work.
Finding a foothold: Terry's story
For Terry, the climbing group came at a time when he was trying to rebuild his life. With personal experience of mental illness within his close family, Terry was working in a mental health support role up until 2019 when he had to take a step back due to his own struggles.
“When the pandemic hit, I found myself in real isolation for a couple of years,” he told us
When things started to go back to normal, Terry found himself struggling to reconnect with people and life.
“At that stage, I felt like I’d spent the last ten years not doing anything with my life, and I knew I needed something to change.”
After being referred to another mental health charity Flourish House, Terry was invited to go climbing with Common Wheel.
“Climbing is the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” he shared.
“I quickly found that it was a great distraction from any negativity going on in my head. Because it’s such a focused sport, there really isn’t room to think about anything else whilst you’re doing it,” he explained.
“And for the first time in my life, I’ve made real friends.”
Terry now climbs weekly and enjoys the occasional trip further afield to climb outdoors.
“When my dad passed away earlier this year, it was my climbing friends who got me through it. I’m honestly not sure where I’d be without this sport.”
From rock bottom to new heights: Cathal's story
Cathal’s journey with Common Wheel began following four years of voluntary academic suspension from university due to his poor mental health.
“Before I joined Common Wheel, I would pretty comfortably say I was at the lowest I’ve ever been,” he shared.
Though eager to keep fit, Cathal struggled to engage with the activities that he tried, such as the gym. After struggling to find his place for a couple of years, he was referred to Common Wheel’s climbing programme. Though initially apprehensive about group activity, he felt he had nothing to lose, so went along.
“Something that I really like about climbing is that, unlike when you say you go to the gym, there’s no obvious follow-up questions about what level you’re at or how heavy you can lift, people generally just accept and respect climbing for what it is,” he shared.
Cathal kept to himself during his first few sessions, feeling hesitant to engage with the other participants and only interacting with the instructor and his volunteer, Chris.
“Going into it, I really felt like there was something wrong with me, but I think as the weeks went on, I realised that everyone was there for a similar reason to me, and I started to feel that connection.”
“It completely changed my perspective.”
Since then, climbing has become a huge part of Cathal’s life.
“It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the sessions completely changed the trajectory of my life,” he shared.
“It motivated me to fix other things in my life, like my sleep and my diet, so that I could climb better, and that really turned things around for me.”
In one year, Cathal went from his lowest point to rejoining university and graduating with first-class honours – all because of climbing.
One person who has been by his side through it all is his volunteer, Chris.
A lifeline in challenging times: Chris' story
Chris also started his journey as a participant, later becoming a volunteer.
“I’ve had depression on and off throughout my life,” he shared, “and 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with MS.
“I spent a while feeling sorry for myself and eventually got referred to an NHS mental health charity called Restart.”
Through Restart, Chris found out about Common Wheel’s climbing programme and was eager to give it a go.
“I got to go along to the first few groups before covid struck. I really hoped throughout lockdown that I’d get the opportunity to go back, so I started going on long walks to keep my fitness up.”
When Chris returned, he solidified his place within the group, making friends whom he started to meet up with outside of the sessions.
“Climbing really brought me back to life,” he shared.
“I am completely indebted to Common Wheel.”
Eager to give back, Chris stepped up when the charity was looking for volunteers and has supported many participants, including Terry and Cathal, through their journeys.
“I’ve met people that I would never have met otherwise, and that has totally enriched my life. I feel incredibly lucky and proud to know people like Terry and Cathal.”
Looking up
Today, all three men are in a very different place from when they first joined the group and having all come through the programme as participants, now help others as volunteers.
Terry has completed his fundamental training and is now working towards his Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) assessment, supported by Common Wheel and Climb Scotland.
“I’m looking forward to being able to help others do the thing that I love. Doing this training feels like a real personal achievement for me.”
Cathal has passed his CWI assessments and is now a fully qualified climbing wall instructor.
“I really enjoy being able to teach my friends to climb now and knowing that I’m doing things the right way,” he told us.
Cathal was also inspired by and encouraged to volunteer by Chris
“I was initially really hesitant to take on the role because Chris was so amazing with me, and I didn’t think I could live up to that, but he really pushed me to go for it.
“I have slowly realised, though, that the job description really is simply turn up and be a friendly face – and I think I’m alright at that.”
Words of encouragement
When asked what advice they’d give to someone struggling, all three emphasised the importance of taking that first step.
“I always say to anyone new who comes along, ' you’ve made it through the door, ’” said Chris, “’that’s the hardest part. Well done.’”
Cathal added:
“If you get an opportunity like this, grab it. It changed my life.”
And Terry summed it up simply:
“Give it a go. It helped me. It might help you.”
More info
- To find out more about Common Wheel and how you can support their work, visit the Common Wheel website and follow them on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) @commonwheelglasgow
- Climb Scotland
