A Moira mum who lost a baby during the pandemic has been selected to help others improve their mental health through being active in nature. 

Katie Heelas, 36 - a member of Jog Derbyshire group Overseal Running Club - will join seven others on a training programme to become a Peak Running Trail Therapy leader in the National Forest. 

The news comes as part of Mental Health Awareness Week and is thanks to a National Forest Society Grant which has enabled Peak Running – in collaboration with Jog Derbyshire group Swad Joggers - to recruit new activity leaders with a focus on mental health. 

Over the next few months Katie and seven others will go through a programme of training and mentoring which will equip them with the skills to lead groups on running and walking activities in the green spaces of the National Forest. 

The mental health benefits of being active outside came alive for Katie after a pregnancy filled with complications resulted in premature labour and the loss of her daughter. 

Made all the harder by the pandemic restrictions, Katie explained: "Not long after I joined Overseal Running Club we found out I was pregnant with our third. 

"We had lots of complications in our pregnancy and with early labour, we lost our daughter. 

"We were in the thick of the pandemic so we were just at home looking after the little ones and I wasn't doing fantastically mentally-wise. 

"You put a brave face on for the kids but when they're not there it's hard to shake yourself out of it. 

"I definitely suffered with anxiety for a long time after everything." 

Getting outside – especially in the green space of the National Forest – was a lifeline for Katie who added: "Running definitely helped. 

"That was a massive, massive life saver. It was easier to be outside than it was to be at home sometimes. 

"It's a sense of being able to breathe when you're outside. Being out on the trails, I feel alive." 

Katie also found that running with others was a big support. 

She said: "Being around other people definitely helped. 

"It wasn't all about what you went through, it was just about being out with other people. It was almost like, you're all going through stuff, you're all going through bad times and yet you're all together and you're doing something lovely." 

Katie's experiences played a large part in her motivation for becoming a Trail Therapy leader. 

She explained: "I was inspired to apply by everything we went through. 

Katie Heelas joined Overseal Running Club

"Our youngest son received his autism diagnosis around the same time as well, and struggles to communicate, which can be a big pressure as a parent. 

"He has a huge fascination with nature, so being outdoors not only benefits my mental health, but his greatly too. 

"It's so important to get outside and have other people who are supportive, warm and fun and friendly to be around. 

"So I think being able to be a Trail Therapy leader is just a great way to give back because I don't know how I would have got through it without being able to get outside with other people." 

Peak Running Director Andy Brooks said: "We're thrilled to have been awarded the National Forest Society Grant which will allow us to train new Trail Therapy leaders. 

"We know being active amongst nature is a highly effective way of improving mental wellbeing as well as physical health but we also know that for lots of people it's not easy to get out there to benefit from exploring the woodland and countryside in their area. 

"Fear of getting lost, personal safety, lack of skills, confidence levels, or simply not having anyone to go with are amongst the reasons for this. 

"We're very passionate about helping people overcome these barrier. It's a real pleasure to watch the fitness, confidence and wellbeing of many of our participants grow as a result, and for strong friendships to develop amongst them." 

• Peak Running is a Community Interest Company which organises trail running adventures across Derbyshire with the aim of helping people achieve their dreams and things they never thought they were capable of - Managed by Peak Running, Jog Derbyshire is a network of social, friendly and informal jogging groups across the county - You can find out more about the Trail Therapy programme HERE.