For most of us a 100km trek across the Sahara Desert is an achievement of a lifetime.

A gruelling physical challenge that brings with it an immense sense of accomplishment. Trekking the Sahara Desert to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now was exactly that for NH&SCVS CEO Hannah Morgan-Gray.

Astonishingly it also turned out to be the rest she didn’t know she needed.

As chief executive officer Hannah steers the ship of not only the North Hertfordshire and Stevenage Centre for Voluntary services, but also the many projects beneath the CVS umbrella, such as GoVolHerts, Reach Out Hertfordshire and Community Transport. Hannah is also co-founder of Climb Hitchin, a volunteer led indoor climbing centre giving those living locally the opportunity to discover a new interest.

For Hannah nature provides the quiet that we all need to decompress, relax and unwind, whilst also providing a great excuse to put the phone away and be tech-free.

She said: "For me, the only true way to recharge is through nature. Whether I’m hiking, climbing, or simply walking in the park, nature offers a powerful antidote to the mental fatigue of my job.

"The quiet, calm, and slower pace allows my mind to relax, fostering clarity and creativity. Stepping away from screens and immersing oneself in the natural world creates room for fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and breakthrough thinking."

It surprised Hannah during her recent Sahara Desert trek just how much she needed the mental rest from the day-to-day and the digital detox.

“Being entirely free of technology allowed me to be fully present. Constant digital bombardment had been creating mental clutter, making it harder for me to focus on what truly matters.

But as I let go of my mobile and laptop, I gained a new level of clarity that would have been nearly impossible to reach while tethered to my screen.

I could now focus entirely on the experience at hand, immerse myself in breath-taking desert landscapes, and build meaningful connections with my fellow trekkers.”

Statistics tell us that 75 per cent of fellow charity leaders are very or fairly concerned about their staff burning out.

If you or someone you know is suffering, Hannah urges you to visit Mental Health UK’s Burnout Support page at Mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout.

Breast Cancer Now want to make sure that by 2050 everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives and is support to live well. Find out more about their work at breastcancernow.org.

As the centre for volunteering services for North Herts and Stevenage, we equip community groups, charities & volunteers with the knowledge to thrive.

Learn more about how we help organisations reach their potential at www.nhcvs.org.uk.