Climbing for Mental Wellbeing: Common Wheel at TCA

We asked our friends at Common Wheel to tell us more about their longstanding climbing project at TCA and the difference it’s making:

What is Common Wheel?

Common Wheel is a charity supporting people managing or recovering from mental illness and dementia. We work with small groups and run a variety of activities including bike-building, music workshops, visual arts, drop-in activities and climbing. All of these activities  aim to reduce isolation, develop new skills, improve mental wellbeing and challenge stigma. 

Mental health

What is our climbing project?

Climbing is one of our newer projects, celebrating its 7th year in 2025. It began when participants at a steering group suggested adding a physical activity alongside our creative and practical ones. Climbing was proposed, and with support from The Climbing Academy (TCA), a board member ran a successful pilot in 2018. The feedback was so positive that had to continue to run the groups. 

‘I think it is brilliant for boosting your confidence and motivation.’ 

‘It gives a temporary relief of depression.’ 

‘Just really love doing something challenging and different.’ 

The project has grown from a small pilot into regular groups at The Prop Store, with several beginner intakes each year and outdoor sessions run by Climb Scotland in the summer. 

What do we do at TCA?

Since the project began, we’ve partnered with The Prop Store to run our indoor sessions in Maryhill, Glasgow. Throughout the year, we offer regular 10-week beginner courses for  adults experiencing mental illness, using climbing as a vehicle to improve mental health. 

‘I really enjoyed the atmosphere at The Prop Store. Very chilled out, accepting and relaxed.’
– Climbing Participant 

The groups are run by our climbing coordinator alongside volunteers and a TCA climbing instructor. Working with the brilliant instructors at The Prop Store, the group have five weeks of bouldering instruction, and five weeks of roped climbing. At the sessions the group learn everything from basic rope-work to more advanced movement coaching and after each session everyone debriefs over a cuppa. We’ve worked with some of the instructors  since the start of the project and their sensitivity to the varied needs of the group are invaluable.

‘Can’t praise them enough. They were helpful, patient, kind and understanding.’
– Climbing Participant talking about TCA instructors 

‘Brilliant – very informative, clear, down to earth and friendly. Very helpful tips and  encouragement.’
– Climbing Participant talking about TCA instructors 

As well as the TCA instructors, our groups are supported by a small group of fantastic volunteers. This brings a valuable range of experience to the group, as our volunteers are a mix of previous participants and people from the wider climbing community. 

Who does the climbing project support?

Our climbing groups are made up of individuals referred from diverse mental health support organisations across Glasgow. Most participants live with long-term mental health conditions, are currently unemployed and for many this is one of the few activities that they take part in each week. 

We are here to provide a safe and inclusive space for people to learn to climb, regardless of  their experience or physical fitness. Most people have never tried climbing before, yet most fall in love with it soon after starting.  

‘I really appreciated how Common Wheel has been prepared and funders have been prepared to send people with, like moderate to severe mental health problems up walls … my experience anyway is that things can be extremely patronising and quite infantilising. And Common Wheel is the opposite of that is like … And I think that’s amazing. So it’s all people with mental health issues, but while you’re not avoiding mental health as a topic, it’s that the activity and the common ground that we have, is not central to our mental health at all. It’s amazing’
– Climbing Participant 

‘Bringing me in with other people who are going through similar things has helped create one of the best support networks I have.’
– Climbing Participant 

How does the climbing project support people?

Climbing appears to be quite a unique sport when it comes to helping people’s mental health. We consistently see how learning to climb brings people together, helping to build friendships and meaningful connections within the group.

• Last year, 100% of participants reported that attending the group improved their mental wellbeing.
• While two-thirds of participants said that taking part in the climbing project boosted their confidence, motivation, self-esteem, social skills, independence, and resilience.

‘Over these weeks of the course I have had a noticeable change in my mood and motivation  for the future.’
– Climbing Participant 

Many of our climbers remain active in the climbing community long after finishing our  beginner course. 

My mental and physical wellbeing have improved so much and I now have a new hobby and new climbing pals!
– Climbing Participant 

‘I think we’ve built up a nice little community over the time frame of the course and we’d be quite keen to encourage each other to keep coming and buddy each other’  – Climbing Participant 

Some of our participants go on to volunteer with the climbing project. We’re always keen to provide a pathway for participants to progress and develop their skills. Offering volunteering and training opportunities has helped participants gain new skills, grow in confidence, and  support others with similar experiences. When participants move into a volunteer role, they already understand how the groups run, the ethos of Common Wheel, and what it feels like to be a new participant. 

‘Volunteering has helped me gain some confidence back in wanting to help people and looking forward for opportunities to do so’
– Climbing Participant/Volunteer 

‘I mean I don’t think it would be hyperbole to say it completely changed the direction of my life at the time’.
– Climbing Participant/Volunteer

Almost all of the social credit and kind of mental wellbeing credit goes to Common Wheel and those sessions. Cause yeah that was after many years and then just within a year went  from as bad as I was to the start of easily the best years of my life’.
– Climbing Participant/Volunteer 

It’s rare to walk into The Prop Store and not meet someone from Common Wheel climbing.  Over the years, a network has grown made up of people who first joined as participants and have since gone on to volunteer or stay involved in the climbing and the TCA community. This network provides genuine peer support and a welcoming sense of belonging that extends well beyond the climbing wall. 

Climbing continues to prove itself as something truly special when it comes to supporting mental health, confidence, and connection and we’re proud to see that impact lasting long after each course ends.

Find out more about Common Wheel

Visit the Common Wheel website to find out more about their work or to support them. You can participate, donate or volunteer. Our next comp on 16 January will be in support of Common Wheel so please aim to bring some cash on the day or donate directly online: 


 

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