Outdoor group 'life-changing' for LGBT community

Mark said he has found a new sense of belonging through the group OutdoorLads

When Mark Granger broke up with his partner after an 18-year relationship, it was a struggle dealing with the other losses that came with it.

He decided to move from Oxfordshire back to his hometown of Wellington, Somerset. But he found himself "cut off" as lots of his school friends had moved and other people he met "already had made their friendship groups".

Luckily, he found a lifeline in a new group which organises outdoor events for the LGBT community, called OutdoorLads.

He said: "Loneliness does affect people in the LGBT community. When you're out for a walk, it's amazing how much you open up and share your experience and realise you're not alone."

OutdoorLads is a national group of volunteers who organise events for others. The organisations aims to provide a positive setting to make new friends and exercise at the same time.

This was especially important for Mr Granger, who found it difficult to meet people working from home.

"Especially post-Covid, I'm in the office a few times a month, and when it comes to weekends, you do want to get out and about.

"I love the outdoors and love a good hike, and being a part of the group has opened a new chapter.

"OutdoorLads was a lifeline," he said.

The group also organise camping events for its members

Other members joined after recently coming to terms with their sexuality.

Owen Pettit, from Bristol, said he had "48 years of living in denial, which took its toll".

"I'm 52 now, and when I grew up it wasn't acceptable to be gay. I lived through the AIDS crisis and remember the adverts with the tombstone, and the persecution of homosexuality.

"I felt quite aggressive towards the gay community because I was hiding from it myself, and that causes its own problems," he said.

Members organise group outings which run all year round - rain or shine

Mr Pettit said he also had experienced loneliness growing up.

"I couldn't work out what was going wrong or why, but I was beating my chest trying to prove some kind of red blooded heterosexuality," he added.

After spending 15 years as a lorry driver, Mr Pettit said he had become "quite unfit," and has welcomed the opportunity to get more exercise.

"Becoming a member of the group has been life-changing.

"Tomorrow holds so much more promise for me now," he said.