The benefit of voluntary service engagement and outdoor activities to a relational approach

People with forensic histories in secure settings are most likely detained against their will and often feel forced into engaging with professionals to ‘jump through the hoops’ that are required of them to be discharged. This reflective piece aimed to explore the benefits of engaging service participants, with personality difficulties, on a voluntary basis and through outdoor adventure activities as part of their therapeutic pathway. A focus group was facilitated with service participants to identify key themes. Six main themes were explored in the reflective piece, along with a reflection from the lead author about their experience of engaging with service participants in outdoor activities. The identified themes highlighted positive experiences from service participants of both engaging voluntarily and in outdoor activities, as well as the challenge of fluctuating motivation. This piece outlines the benefits of utilising alternative ways to engage people with personality difficulties, and those who have been in contact with the Criminal Justice System, two populations who can struggle to experience trusting and open relationships with service providers.