Charity Day Trips Help Heal Trauma Through Nature And Fire

People across Glasgow living with trauma, poor mental health, and the effects of addiction and social isolation will have the chance to spend time in nature and form meaningful connections thanks to the work done by Fire & Peace.

The charity supports people facing complex life challenges by creating safe, supportive spaces in natural environments. Fire & Peace’s unique approach uses nature, fire and shared outdoor experiences to help people reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them.

Participants come together for activities including outdoor cooking, fire lighting, shelter building and guided reflection. These are designed with the aim of encouraging trust in each other, and building a sense of belonging and personal growth.

The charity’s wellbeing day trips form part of Fire & Peace’s wider work across its Youth Movement, Women's Empowerment Movement and Young Asylum Seeker Project. They offer a welcome break from life’s daily pressures, allowing participants to slow down and spend time outdoors engaging with peers in a calm, non-judgemental environment.

Ksenia Milek, Charity Officer at Fire & Peace, said:

"Around the fire, people are not defined by what they have been through. They are welcomed, listened to and reminded of their own strength. Trips may each last only a day, but the confidence, friendships and sense of belonging created can stay with participants long after they return home."

The programme has been given a boost thanks to a £1,200 donation from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, which will fund two fully supported outdoor wellbeing day trips.

Thanking the Trust for the funding Ksenia added:

"A Fire & Peace day trip is far more than a few hours outdoors. For someone carrying trauma, struggling with their mental health, living with addiction or feeling completely isolated, it can be the first time in a long while that they have felt safe, included and able to breathe."

"The £1,200 awarded by Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust will enable us to provide two fully supported outdoor wellbeing day trips across our projects. It will help cover transport, food, equipment and the practical resources needed to ensure that financial circumstances are never a barrier to taking part."

David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles, said:

"Fire & Peace is doing brilliant work to support people facing some of life's toughest challenges. These outdoor wellbeing trips offer a safe space where people experience the positive impact that nature can have on our wellbeing."

"We are proud that the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust can help make them accessible to more people across the community."

By helping remove financial barriers to participation, the funding will ensure more people can access supportive outdoor experiences that foster connection and improve wellbeing.