Mind Over Mountains

What Mind Over Mountains does

Mind Over Mountains is a UK-registered charity (no. 1190883) founded in 2020 by adventurer Alex Staniforth and leadership consultant Chris Spray. It delivers nature-based mental health support by combining guided walking in UK outdoor settings (Lake District, Peak District, North Wales, North York Moors, South East, South Wales) with mindfulness practices and professional mental health coaching or counselling delivered by qualified practitioners. The core service portfolio includes one-day Wellbeing Walks, multi-day Walking Retreats, a specialist Emergency Responders programme (police, paramedics, ambulance staff), bespoke Workplace Wellbeing packages for organisations, and a Green Social Prescribing referral pathway for GPs and link workers. Supporting offerings include the annual NatureMind Conference co-delivered with the University of Central Lancashire, an Everyday Mountains Challenge walking programme via the Go Jauntly app, fundraising challenge events, branded merchandise, and post-event follow-on resources.

The charity does not receive government funding and operates a diversified, donation-anchored revenue model: individual donations and monthly subscriptions, paid retreat and event fees with bursary-funded reduced rates (full bursary to £50 for those on income support, 50% bursaries for NHS/emergency service workers, 15% Blue Light discount), corporate partnerships (staff fundraising, payroll giving, event sponsorship, bespoke wellbeing packages), a charity lottery through Join Our Lottery, merchandise sales, and grants from foundations including the National Lottery Community Fund, Blue Light Card Foundation, Ramble Worldwide Outdoor Trust, Waterloo Foundation, Clare Foundation, and St James's Place Charitable Foundation. Outcome measurement is conducted using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), with reported outcomes including a +6.6 point average wellbeing improvement, 91% of survey respondents reporting lasting mental health benefit, and a World Class NPS.

Mind Over Mountains is governed by a board of trustees chaired by John Whitehead, with operational leadership by CEO Ian Boyd and a small core team (1–10 employees) supplemented by volunteers, patrons, and ambassadors. The organisation has received significant third-party validation, including endorsement from the Princess of Wales (January 2025), the 2024 Charity Initiative of the Year award at the National Outdoor Show, and coverage by BBC Radio, Men's Fitness, Virgin Radio, and Trail Magazine. It is an active member of the National Academy for Social Prescribing's Social Prescribing Innovation Network.

Name

Mind Over Mountains

Legal name

Mind Over Mountains

Website

https://mindovermountains.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mind Over Mountains is a UK mental health charity offering nature-based mental wellbeing support through guided walks, multi-day retreats, and programmes for individuals, corporate teams, and emergency responders across England and Wales, delivered by qualified coaches and counsellors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Aylesbury

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: Individual donations and monthly subscriptions from supporters; charity does not receive government funding and relies on public donations
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including clothing, accessories, and outdoor equipment; profits fund charitable work
3. Retreat and Event Fees: Charges for retreats with bursary funding available; day walks partially or fully funded through partnerships
4. Corporate Partnerships: Staff fundraising programs, event sponsorship, direct donations, and payroll giving from business partners
5. Lottery: Charity lottery through Join Our Lottery platform

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mind Over Mountains is a UK mental health charity that delivers nature-based mental wellbeing programmes combining guided outdoor walks, mindfulness practice, and professional coaching or counselling. Core offerings include one-day Wellbeing Walks and multi-day Walking Retreats led by qualified coaches, mountain leaders, and wellbeing professionals, complemented by specialist Emergency Responders retreats, bespoke Workplace Wellbeing Programmes for organisations, and Green Social Prescribing referral pathways. Services are delivered across England and Wales including the Peak District, Lake District, North Wales, North York Moors, South East, and South Wales, with fees supplemented by bursary funding and donations.

Product overview

Mind Over Mountains is a UK mental health charity offering a portfolio of outdoor wellbeing programmes combining walking in nature, mindfulness, and professional coaching and counselling. The core offerings include Wellbeing Walks (one-day guided walks with professional support) and Walking Retreats (weekend or multi-day events), complemented by specialist services for Emergency Responders, Workplace Wellbeing Programmes, and Green Social Prescribing Referrals. Additional offerings include Funded Bursary Places for financial support, the annual NatureMind Conference (in partnership with University of Central Lancashire), the Everyday Mountains Challenge app-based walking programme, and merchandise through the MOM Shop. The charity also provides Follow-On Support Resources for ongoing participant wellbeing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wellbeing Walks Guided one-day mental wellbeing walks led by qualified coaches, mountain leaders, and wellbeing professionals, combining walking in nature with mindfulness sessions and professional support, delivered across UK locations including Peak District, Lake District, North Wales, and South East England. Day walks in the Peak District and Lake District are fully funded and free to participants.
• Walking Retreats Weekend or multi-day hiking retreats providing extended mental wellbeing support with professional coaches, counsellors, and mountain leaders in scenic UK locations including Lake District, Wales, and Peak District. Bursary funding reduces retreat to £50 for qualifying participants.
• Emergency Responders Support Specialised mental wellbeing walks and retreats designed specifically for emergency services personnel including police, paramedics, and ambulance staff, with evidence-based approach showing statistically significant improvements in wellbeing and reductions in anxiety and depression.
• Workplace Wellbeing Programmes Bespoke mental wellbeing events for organisations including walks, retreats, talks, and wellbeing days designed to support teams, meet ESG objectives, and help employers address workplace mental health challenges.
• Green Social Prescribing Referrals Referral pathway for social prescribers, GPs, and mental health professionals to direct individuals to Mind Over Mountains mental wellness events, including pre- and post-event Zoom support sessions and follow-up resources.
• NatureMind Conference Annual non-profit summit co-coordinated with University of Central Lancashire exploring latest research and best practice in nature-based social prescribing for physical and mental health across the UK.
• MOM Shop (Branded Merchandise) Online merchandise store selling branded items including caps, water bottles, organic hoodies, dry bags, tote bags, mugs, and t-shirts to fund charitable mental wellbeing support work.
• Workplace Team Challenge Hikes Professionally guided team challenge hikes for organisations combining fundraising with team building, where experienced mountain leaders handle all logistics, planning, risk assessments, and route guidance.
• Follow-On Support Resources Post-event support programme providing free follow-up resources including short videos, breathing exercises, mindfulness tips, outdoor activity ideas, and access to the Walk and Talk Facebook Group community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of respondents reported lasting mental health benefit from attending events
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• InghamscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Skiing, Walking and Lapland holiday operator since 1934, supporting the charity through funding, volunteer work and staff support. Partnership includes financial contributions and skills sharing including graphic design.
• Westgrove GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding patron since 2022, providing consistent contribution to delivery of mental wellbeing events. Facilities management company supporting team wellbeing and ESG objectives through partnership.
• SamsungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompleted Surrey 3 Peaks in 2023 and Thames Path Challenge in 2024 following a talk from Alex Staniforth in 2022.
• Bath House GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCumbria-based maker of artisan fragrances and natural skincare, supported the charity since 2023.
• KE Adventure TravelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdventure travel experts supporting with donations and team fundraising since 2023, joined Ullswater Way Step Out Challenge.
• Tyrol Outdoor ApparelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor clothing brand inspired by benefits of time spent in nature, founded in Peak District National Park.
• University of Central LancashirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual NatureMind Event co-delivered with Mind Over Mountains to discuss and propel green social prescribing in UK, bringing together leading voices in green and nature-based social prescribing.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Mind: UK's largest mental health charity, offering advice, support and information across the country. Operates ecotherapy and nature-based programmes that increasingly overlap with Mind Over Mountains' value proposition.
• Samaritans: Long-established UK charity providing emotional support for people in distress. Competes for charitable donations and workplace wellbeing partnerships in the broader mental health category, though delivery model differs.
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): UK charity leading movement against suicide, with helpline services and growing community programmes. Broader mental health incumbent whose brand competes for charity donations and workplace partnerships.
• The Wildlife Trusts: UK umbrella charity managing nature reserves and running 'Wellbeing' programmes that connect visitors to nature for mental health benefits. Broad incumbent in the nature-and-wellbeing space.

Others

• The Conservation Volunteers: UK charity promoting environmental volunteering through programmes such as Green Gym that explicitly link outdoor activity to physical and mental wellbeing. Ecosystem partner / adjacent player rather than direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Thrive: UK charity using gardening and nature-based therapeutic activities to support people with mental health needs and disabilities. Adjacent nature-based therapy player with overlapping referral channels.

Direct peers

• Brathay Trust: Lake District-based charity offering outdoor residential programmes focused on wellbeing, mental health and personal development. Overlaps on geography (Lake District) and outdoor-wellbeing delivery model.
• Wilderness Foundation UK: UK charity delivering wilderness therapy and nature-based intervention programmes for vulnerable young people and adults, with residential and expedition formats. Direct peer on therapeutic-wilderness positioning.
• The Outrun: Scotland-based mental health charity combining outdoor activity (running, cold water swimming, walking) with peer support for people experiencing depression and isolation. Closest functional peer to Mind Over Mountains' nature-based mental wellbeing model.
• Outward Bound Trust: Large UK charity providing outdoor adventure and residential courses for young people with explicit wellbeing, resilience and mental health outcomes. Comparable on outdoor-based personal development, though primarily youth-focused.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MindOMountains
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@mindovermountains
• Facebookfacebook.com/mindovermountainscic
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mindovermountains
• Instagraminstagram.com/mindomountains
• TikToktiktok.com/@mind_over_mountains?_t=8la5KBWwvSa&_r=1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles30 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mind Over Mountains