This November, at the prestigious Kendal Mountain Festival, a new award ceremony will take place celebrating the people and organisations who champion the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors.

The Head Outside Awards will be hosted by mental health charity Changing Horizons, whose founder Stu Skinner will present the awards alongside with broadcaster and passionate hillwalker Mary-Ann Ochota.

Trail recently caught up with Stu to find out what inspired him to create the very first outdoor industry awards for mental health. “Whenever I’ve experienced severe episodes of depression,” he says. “I’ve turned to the outdoors or nature as part of my healing process. Whether that’s going on an arduous trek or simply chilling on my paddleboard with my toes dipped in the sea.

“I’m passionate about the mental health benefits of outdoor activities, which is why I pursued a career as an Expedition Leader and founded a mental health charity with the mission to normalise conversations about mental health, especially in the outdoor industry.

Stu Skinner, Head Outside Awards founder

“In my ongoing recovery journey, I have come across outstanding organisations and inspirational individuals who harness the life-changing power of the outdoors to support people on their mental journey, who make the outdoors more accessible to people with mental health challenges, or simply inspire people to live their lives more adventurously and reap the mental health benefits.

“So much of this work goes unnoticed. There are many that are unaware that organisations and services like this exist. I’m sure there are many people, who like me, found traditional approaches to managing mental health helpful, but soon discovered that their self-esteem and self-confidence didn’t come in a pill or though talking therapy. I got both of those in abundance through summitting a mountain, connecting to others on a long walk or simply enjoying the stillness of sitting under the stars.

“It's for these reasons that I am launching the Head Outside Awards. I want them to be a celebration of the individuals the people and organisations who champion the mental health benefits of our natural world through outdoor activities. I also hope it will inspire people to live their lives more adventurously and take advantage of the mental health benefits of outdoor activity.”

The Head Outside Awards take place on Friday November 18 at 1.30pm on Kendal Mountain Festival’s Basecamp stage, with a live presentation of three organisational awards and three individual awards. For full details visit the website headoutsideawards.com