Local residents in Hackney with mental health issues are being offered free one-on-one climbing class by a rock climbing centre.
The Hackney Wick Bouldering Project, which opened in 2016, hope the free lessons will help people to cope with problems such as depression or anxiety.
The centre manager Josh Glanvill said: “Any sport is good for mental health, but bouldering isn’t just about the physical- it also makes you focused on the routes and helps a lot of people with their depression and anxiety.”
The scheme is being run in partnership with the mental health charity Core Arts Hackney, who support locals using creative classes.
The programme was started by Core Arts event coordinator Pete Bennet, who found that bouldering – a type of rock climbing without any ropes or harness – really helped his depression.
He then trained as an instructor at Hackney Wick Bouldering Project and began the scheme in early January 2018.
To sign up for sessions, all you have to do is email info@hackneywickboulder.co.uk with your name, postcode and some information about how you think the classes could help your mental wellbeing.
