Outdoor Adventure Education Graduate Shares Inspiring Journey from Therapy to Career Success
Dafydd Millns, a BA in Outdoor Adventure Education graduate from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has turned his personal struggle with mental health into a story of triumph and professional success.
Dafydd’s decision to pursue a degree in Outdoor Adventure Education was influenced by his personal experiences within mental health services. After years of traditional therapy, Dafydd says he has found new hope and healing through the Tonic Surf Therapy programme in West Wales. Combining Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with the therapeutic benefits of surfing, Dafydd says he has discovered a renewed sense of purpose and well-being. It has also inspired him to help others.
The Outdoor Adventure Education course at UWTSD equipped Dafydd with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for working in dynamic outdoor environments. He said:
“This has entailed being able to comprehend, manage and deal with risk alongside what to do when things do go wrong. Additionally, the course has allowed me to develop a holistic understanding as to the perspectives and affordances of outdoor adventure and outdoor education within society and culture.”
Dafydd’s education was further enriched by hands-on experiences, leading to several national governing body awards and membership in the Western Beacons Mountain Rescue Team. These opportunities allowed him to work as a freelance outdoor instructor, developing his services and operating independently.
The Outdoor Education course was based at Cynefin, a state-of-the-art site in Johnstown. This hub featured a classroom, outdoor learning spaces, a yurt, a mountain biking track, and various technical outdoor equipment. The hub acts as a community for both outdoor education students and the community to share practice and work alongside each other. The combination of theoretical learning and practical experience provided Dafydd with a deeper understanding of how to align theory with practice, boosting his confidence as an instructor and practitioner.
He decided to study at UWTSD because:
“ its locality to natural environments, a short 45-minute journey from Carmarthen offers access to truly world-class rivers, beaches, mountains and forests. This alongside a rich Welsh heritage made my choice easy.”
Dafydd adds that the course has helped him to develop as an individual:
“Personally I’m a very different person to who I was when I began studying at UWTSD. I’ve developed interpersonally, both socially and professionally. I’ve developed lifelong skills in time-keeping and the management of my own resources. I have a deepened understanding of my own self-efficacy and more so than anything else see myself as a far more confident person.”
Given the nature of the course and small class sizes, comradery quickly grew between students and lecturers to know each other well. The lecturers were very supportive both academically and practically. He adds:
“Academically I found there was always someone I could contact or connect with if I was struggling with a topic, in addition to this the ‘open’ nature of lecturers led to honest, relevant and critical perspectives on topics of conversations. This, all seeded by decades of their own rich experiences. Practically we were often provided with opportunities to work, assist and further apply our learning with groups and others. Again given lecturers’ experience they act as an incredible networking opportunity for anyone wanting to make connections in the industry.”
After graduation, Dafydd plans to continue his development in adventure therapy. Thanks to UWTSD’s support, he attended the 4th Gathering for Adventure Therapy Europe (GATE) in Latvia, connecting with like-minded professionals worldwide. Dafydd aims to pursue a part-time master’s in psychology to integrate outdoor and therapeutic practices. He hopes to find part-time or voluntary work in a clinical setting to complement his studies. He adds:
“Moving forward I hope to further develop research within the field of outdoor/adventure therapy throughout Wales with the hopes of developing standardised outcome measures, an ethical framework and a community in which best practice can be shared and learnt from.”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476