Yoga Teacher Honoured for Transforming the Lives of People in Mental Health Crisis

A Dumfries yoga teacher who has dedicated more than a decade to supporting adults with mental health challenges has been recognised at a British awards ceremony for her outstanding voluntary work and fundraising efforts.

Jill Dobbie was presented with the Community Champion Award at the British Wheel of Yoga’s (BWY) Heart of Yoga Awards, in recognition of her tireless work at Lothlorien Therapeutic Community near Castle Douglas and her remarkable fundraising achievements, raising more than £9,000 for charities supporting people in crisis.

The BWY Heart of Yoga Awards celebrate volunteers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to promoting yoga’s benefits across communities throughout the UK.

Jill is donating her award to purchase yoga mats and equipment for Lothlorien Therapeutic Community, where she has been a resident, a support worker and more recently a volunteer. In her current role, she shares yoga, meditation and relaxation and contributes to organic gardening and cooking. Run by Rokpa Trust, the therapeutic community provides a home for people with mental health difficulties in a supportive, rural setting.

“It is a magical place – named after the elven realm in The Lord of the Rings – set in beautiful woodland, rolling hills and near the river Urr,” said Jill. “Its approach to mental health is truly holistic: the land itself is part of the therapy. Growing organic crops, caring for the land, animals and one another, and sharing meals are all part of daily life. The ethos is about recognising people’s potential, rather than focusing on their symptoms.”

Alongside her voluntary work, Jill specialises in teaching yoga for older adults living with chronic health conditions including ME, MS, fibromyalgia and Alzheimer’s disease. As someone living with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia herself, Jill understands the challenges her students face.

“My focus is on making yoga accessible, reducing social isolation and helping those with mobility problems and mental health challenges. I offer hybrid classes so that people who cannot physically leave their homes can still benefit. Yoga needs to be adapted for all bodies. I also offer free or concessionary places in my classes for anyone who can’t afford to attend, helping to remove financial barriers,” she explained.

Jill works with Heathall Community Centre in Dumfries to offer free gentle chair yoga every Monday morning, funded by Barchester Charities Foundation.

Beyond her regular teaching, Jill has been the driving force behind numerous fundraising events, bringing together local yoga teachers and the wider yoga community to raise over £9,000 for causes including Community Action Nepal and the Massive Outpouring of Love Refugee Charity (now The Depot). She has also led dedicated classes for Syrian and Ukrainian women, taught at events for LGBT Youth Scotland and delivered chair yoga at the Scottish Parliament in partnership with Scottish Action for Mental Health.

“I just want to help people: give them practical teachings to help them better manage their mental health and chronic pain. The feedback I have received is amazing,” said Jill. “Just knowing that my teachings can make a difference is inspiration enough to continue this work.”

Diana O’Reilly, Chair of BWY, said: “Jill exemplifies the true spirit of yoga – compassion, service and dedication to improving the wellbeing of others. Her commitment to making yoga accessible to those who need it most, particularly people facing mental health challenges and social isolation, is truly inspirational, and she is a very deserving winner.”