You may have recently seen Mark’s story featured in the Daily Record West Lothian, as he prepares to take on the Glasgow Kiltwalk. But behind the headline is a deeper story — one of rebuilding, connection and finding a way forward.
By Mark Samson
A few years ago, I was trying to rebuild my life.
In my early 20s, I had been involved in crime and, although I was running a successful property maintenance business, I wasn’t happy. My life had become very self-serving. At home, things weren’t good either. Alcohol, drugs and gambling were all part of my world, and the people around me only reinforced that.
In 2020, something changed. I went sober. It was a turning point, but it also meant I lost a lot. Relationships broke down, and I found myself alone, trying to figure out who I was and how to move forward. I later received a diagnosis of PTSD and began therapy, asking myself some difficult questions about my past and my choices.
Through that process, I realised that the times I had felt happiest were when I was younger, playing football and spending time outdoors. That connection to nature had always been there, and I knew I needed to find my way back to it.
That’s when I got in touch with Venture Trust.
At first, I supported others through peer mentoring, sharing my experiences and my journey to sobriety. Then, in 2025, I was able to take part in a wilderness journey myself.
That journey changed something in me.
I realised I had been putting up barriers. I felt lonely, but I wasn’t letting people in. Spending time in a small group, out in the wilderness, meant I couldn’t avoid connection. Over seven days, the group went from strangers to something much more. We listened to each other, supported each other and built real trust.
For me, it was the first time I had ever opened up and shown emotion in front of other men. It felt like a release — something I didn’t know I needed. I learned how to communicate better, how to build relationships and how to let people see who I really am.
Even the practical challenges, like canoeing together, taught us something. You have to trust each other, communicate clearly and stay calm under pressure. I had canoed before, but a few of the boys were trying it for the first time and it was lovely watching them shine. After surviving some rapids, we started calling ourselves the “A-Team”.
Since the journey, we’ve stayed connected. We’ve been on trips together, we keep in touch through WhatsApp, and we support each other when things are tough. We’re all still learning how to build healthy relationships, but we’re doing it together.
Because of what Venture Trust did for us, we felt a debt of gratitude, and that just saying ‘thanks’ wasn’t enough. We wanted to give something back, and that’s when a group of us decided to take on the Glasgow Kiltwalk. Venture Trust gave us support when we felt like we were falling through the cracks, and we want others to feel that same support.
On Saturday 25th April, we’ll be walking 14.5 miles from Clydebank to Loch Lomond as part of Team Venture Trust. I’ve been training by trying to walk 6 miles every day with my dog Bubba, and I’m ready for the challenge.
This is about more than just a walk. It’s about making sure other people can access the same support that helped me change my life.
If you can, please consider sponsoring us- https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/venturetrustkiltwalk
