Our outcomes

Outcomes

Our approach is intensive. Since 2015, we've invested substantially and prudently in quality people. As a result, we significantly improved and positively impacted the lives of our programme participants and those around them.

As a result of our programmes, people see an increase in key wellbeing markers. On average, grant recipients experience an increase in the following measures after (by comparison to before) their journey with Mastering Mountains:

  • 44.6% increase in happiness, as measured by The Pemberton Happiness Index (PHI: Hervas & Vazquez, 2013)

  • 14.4% increase in flourishing, as measured by Seligman's PERMA (Seligman, 2011) theory of wellbeing.

  • 35.2% increase in resilience, as measured by Brief Resilience Scale (Smith, Dalen, Wiggins, Tooley, Christopher, & Bernard, 2008)

  • 5.5% increase in hope, as measured by Adult Hope Scale (Snyder et al., 1991)

  • 10.8% increase in thriving, as measured by The Comprehensive Inventory of Thriving (CIT) (Su, Tay & Diener, 2014) 

  • 14.4% increase in general wellbeing (‘WoW Factor’), as measured by the validated Work on Wellbeing assessment tool.

Raffaela Dragani, 2023 Expedition Programme Participant, having just accomplished her goal to tramp to Blue Lake, Nelson Lakes National Park.

Steph Nierstenhoefer, 2024 Expedition Programme Participant, on the highest point of the Milford Track, which she completed as part of her journey with us.

What Our Programme Participants Say

  • Bryce Mackenzie

    "This grant opened my mind. With a bit of help, I have achieved something that I thought I may not be able to do."

    Bryce Mackenzie

  • "Thank you for giving me the grant that made my dream a reality. I cannot recommend the experience enough—every sight, smell, sound, taste, and feeling was incredible."

    Sam Smith

  • Katy Glenie

    "I had thought that my life could no longer be full of adventures in the outdoors after my diagnosis. I now know there are so many ways to seek and find adventure."

    Katy Glenie

  • David Kyle

    "This grant has been trajectory altering, enabling me to continue MTB riding with friends and giving me more confidence about the future in terms of riding with my son."

    David Kyle

  • Kirsten Dixon

    "With the right support I can achieve more than I thought! I have shed some self limiting beliefs I imposed on myself with diagnosis."

    Kirsten Dixon

Support Us

Mastering Mountains is a charitable trust. We rely on donations to support and mentor people in New Zealand with Multiple Sclerosis and Functional Neurological Disorder. Your support will help us reach more people, changing their lives for good.