A Spalding former police has arrested the attention of the Princess of Wales to talk about mental health.
Matt Heaton (33) took part in a mental wellbeing walk in the Peak District with Catherine last Tuesday (January 27).
It was for the charity Mind Over Mountains which puts on retreats designed to help mental health.
Matt attended one when serving as a police officer and has spoken publicly about its significant benefits for his mental health.
The Princess chatted with Matt, who is now a lorry driver, about his experience of walking previously with the Mind Over Mountains walk leaders, wellbeing coaches and counsellors, and the impact it had on him, when he attended an event the charity ran in partnership with the police.
Matt said: “Joining a Mind Over Mountains wellbeing walk alongside the Princess of Wales was incredibly powerful for me.
“I came to Mind Over Mountains after experiencing quite severe mental health challenges, and the chance to spend time in nature with others who understood felt genuinely healing.
“What stood out most was the people – the warmth, compassion and lack of pressure to talk.
“There’s no expectation to share, yet the safe, supportive environment made me feel able to open up in my own time.
“I felt truly heard, understood and supported, and I came away feeling lighter and more hopeful.”
