Iona’s Adventures - The Next Steps

As many of you may know, I set up my walking group ‘Iona’s Adventures’ over 2 years ago to simple make friends to enjoy hill walking with. It’s become SO much more than that and over the years has grown to become a welcoming, informative, supportive community of nearly 4,000 likeminded adventurers. What the heck...how did that happen?! It’s been wonderful to see the social connections made, the friendships (and relationships!) formed along the way and the difference it’s made to many lives. I’ve learnt some valuable skills from those far more experienced than me and I’ve worked with some brilliant companies such as Mountaineering Scotland, Tiso and Berghaus who all support the group. It’s time now to explore the next steps (pardon the pun) and I’ve decided to set up a social enterprise to help benefit even more people. Using experienced instructors from the walking group, I’ll provide skills courses to help people learn about safely and confidently accessing the great outdoors. Now more than even it’s so important for our physical AND our mental health that we get outside. Like any small business, I’m starting from scratch and will be drawing on the advice, assistance and skills from friends, family and members of the outdoor community. Time and time again I’m amazed at the generosity and kindness of people, especially in hard times. In order to get it all off the ground I’m hoping to raise funds towards covering startup costs. Eventually I hope this can also go towards subsidising course fees to help reduce the costs. This will make them even more accessible, especially to those who may not otherwise be in a position to take part. Everyone truly deserves to access the outdoors. I’m appealing to anyone who supports or is part of my walking group to help get this social enterprise started. If it’s made any impact at all in your life or perhaps you hope that one day it will, please consider adding to my community fund. Whether it’s just the cost of your favourite hill snack (a peanut butter kit Kat chunky in my case) or a full tank of fuel to reach your favourite mountains (that’s a tough one but maybe Glencoe)...any donation big or small will be VERY gratefully received. The walking group has changed my life in so many important ways...I really can’t emphasise that enough. I’ve got the perfect opportunity now to help so many people enjoy even more of their own mountain days. Please join me as I continue to build this wonderful outdoor community and spread even more #SunshineyHappiness. Thank you, Iona