About Fire & Peace
Fire & Peace was born in the pursuit of connection. In a world where getting lost and misguided is all too easy, we believe that true contentment and fulfilment stems from rekindling those vital connections, particularly with Mother Nature.
Founded with this vision, in November 2018, we launched our pilot “Recovery with Nature” program. Nestled in the Highlands of Scotland, our Fire & Peace camp became a sanctuary away from the daily noise for a diverse group in various stages of their recovery. Here, amidst the serene landscapes, they not only found solace but rekindled connections with themselves, each other, and the powerful embrace of nature. The success of this pilot wasn't just measurable; it was transformative and a newfound, and unique approach to the world of recovery emerged.
In January 2021 Fire & Peace received its esteemed charity status marking this the official beginning of our impactful journey. Since then, it's been all guns blazing as we strive to create a space where individuals find solace, safety, purpose, belonging, love and strength through the therapeutic embrace of nature.
What sets us apart is not just our wealth of outdoor bushcraft experience, but a profound understanding of mental health and addiction issues gained through first-hand experience. We aren't just here to guide; we're here to connect on a level that goes beyond words.
Talk to us – we understand.
Holistic Support and a Unique Path to Recovery
While Fire & Peace Recovery isn't a conventional recovery centre we do provide a distinctive layer of support that complements the traditional approaches.
Our trips serve as a complementary experience, weaving the healing potential of the Great Outdoors into the fabric of your recovery journey. We understand that recovery is a multi-faceted process, and connecting with nature can be a vital and transformative component.
Embark on a journey with Fire & Peace, where nature becomes your guide and every step forward is a step toward holistic recovery. This is a unique and complementary approach to recovery that goes beyond prescriptions and traditional methods.
Becoming Circular
Our Vision
Modern life's relentless pace and constant connectivity have taken a toll on mental health, with mental health disorders now affecting one in four people every year.
At Fire & Peace, we champion a circular approach to well-being, believing that the key lies in disengaging from the square, tech-dominated life. Have you noticed that life is very “square” nowadays: you work from a square office, using a square computer, going to work in your square car… but you belong to the Circular World!
This square setup is jarring our ability to develop meaningful connections. Human beings are meant to be: “circular”, life is a cycle; nature is circular, trees are circular. Nature, to us, is more than therapy; it's a vital element that should permeate all aspects of our lives. While we don't claim that a single wilderness trip will cure your mental health conditions, our vision is clear — to inspire individuals to reconnect with the outdoors.
Life is a cycle, nature is circular, and we invite you to embrace the rejuvenating, cyclical essence of both.
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie under the trees, watching the clouds floating by, is not a waste of time.”
- Sir John Lubbock, Naturalist
Meet Our Founder
Meet Gerry Ward: Founder and Director
Gerry Ward, Founder and driving force behind Fire & Peace, brings together more than 40 years of outdoor experience with a deep and personal understanding of mental health challenges, trauma, substance dependency, recovery and healing.
His extensive knowledge of the natural world includes taking part in an Arctic expedition alongside renowned survival experts Ray Mears and Lars Fält. Combined with his own lived experience of overcoming some of life’s darkest challenges, Gerry has developed a rare ability to meet people without judgement, understand what may sit beneath their struggles and offer genuine hope grounded in experience.
Gerry’s connection with nature has been central to his own healing. During an Arctic expedition with Ray Mears and Lars Fält, he developed his survival knowledge and gained an even deeper respect for the strength, simplicity and healing power of the natural world. Years later, when his own mental health reached breaking point, he returned to nature, fire and open space as a way of finding calm, balance and purpose.
From this journey, Fire & Peace was born.
Today, Gerry uses everything he has lived through, learned and overcome to help others strengthen their connection with themselves, with one another and with nature. Alongside a growing team of people who share the same passion and values, Fire & Peace creates safe, compassionate spaces where people can slow down, feel heard and begin to see that recovery, healing and meaningful change are possible.
A Message from Gerry
“During my personal journey I found that the only way I would ever be able to start healing was to become vulnerable and to share my innermost emotions and feelings, but only in a safe environment. I learned on this journey that so long as I shared with people I trusted and loved, I would be safe, and the chains of past trauma could be broken and the healing could start.
This was not an overnight journey and it took me years to be able to talk openly about my childhood and the ripple effects it has on a child during adolescence and adulthood. I will never be a finished project, I will always be a work in progress. I am absolutely fine with that.
Vulnerability is not a weakness, it can be your biggest strength so long as it is shared and shown to those who love and care unconditionally.
Growth comes only from within, and we are the single owner of our heart and soul.
Even if you don't believe in yourself just yet, please know that WE believe in YOU and your journey can start anytime. It is NEVER too late. NEVER!”
The Team
Kate Yang
Youth Assistant Lead
Kate is our youth assistant lead who is passionate about helping others and making a positive difference. She supports others and helps build confidence, while encouraging teamwork. Outside of her role, she is either staying active or up on the mountaintops eating pot noodles.
Brian Droy
Senior Outdoor Lead
Brian is our outdoor expert cook and has years of knowledge using traditional cooking methods in the wilderness. Brian loves nothing more than to pass his expertise on to those around him and watch them flourish with pride as they make their first Scottish Stove. Growing up with Gerry, he is also a Lord of The Rings and Dragonlance fanatic and together they have spent decades in the forests using their vivid imaginations to escape the city life (yes, he too is a fantasy geek!).
Lee Jamieson
Environmental Outdoor Support
Lee is one of our senior outdoor support workers and inspiration to everyone she meets. Lee's story will humble anyone who hears it and her courage and strength inspires us all. Lee is also has a wealth of knowledge around the world of recovery. She has taken to the outdoors lifestyle like a duck to water (without the webbed feet).
Ksenia Milek
Charity Officer and Lead of Women Empowerment
Meet Ksenia, our Charity Officer. She is also a Life and Wellbeing Coach, and senior Women Empowerment Lead. She brings a wealth of knowledge centred around the world of healing. Her passion for our approach and ethos is admirable and she has already made positive changes to our direction and focus. When she is not working in the world of healing she’s definitely not doing cold water dips ;)