It is great to report that all five of our local hubs are now up and running, and leading walks with local community groups along their sections of Coast Path. Read below for some of the great projects that our amazing Project Officers have been delivering.
Our volunteers have been working hard pulling together walk plans and risk assessments in preparation for their informal ‘assessment’ days which took place at the end of September in all hub areas. Over 25 volunteers impressed our external technical expert with their knowledge, enthusiasm and skills for walking with groups on the Coast Path. We are now looking for more volunteers to join us to help deliver more projects in 2024.
Dorset
The walking groups in Dorset are getting underway now, and it’s wonderful to see the increase in confidence among some of the participants. One of the recurring themes has been how much people have enjoyed the gentle pace of the walks, allowing plenty of stops to take in the surroundings, rather than focussing on the act of walking itself. Local nature has been another focus of recent walks, with participants learning to recognise the call of the Cetti’s warbler, and learning about traditional uses of hawthorn berries. It has been great to finish a walk and hear people say “I’m so glad I came!”
Our volunteers are adding a lot of value to walks by talking about their own experiences, and we are just completing our training with one group with a full day of walking on a challenging section of the path, after which they will be able to lead groups themselves.
Torbay
A super busy September has seen us host 16 walks and we now have 5 regular groups running. After working with the group and their clinic for some time now, a group of ME and Chronic Fatigue sufferers joined us for their first regular weekly walk. The group is designed to be small and personable, and to offer slow, supportive walking. We walked around the Kings Gardens and Torre Abbey Gardens in Torquay and then enjoyed a coffee at the Grand Hotel. The four walkers found comfort in meeting each other and being able to share stories and experiences with others who understood their situations. They also had a lovely time, and are looking forward to future walks.
North Devon
It has been a busy summer despite some walks affected by adverse weather. Healing Steps continues to grow its membership, and socially prescribed walks are regularly attended. In September CPC hosted a creative play workshop led by artist Emma Scattergood. The event included a walk from Bucks Mills to Peppercombe and on route the group collected, discussed and wrote about things they found along the path. Recently the first batch of volunteers completed the walk leader training programme and glad to report they all passed. The assessment day took the group to the top of Great Hangman (highest point of SWCP) on a windswept and raining day. The volunteers are very keen to get started and will soon be leading their first walks.
Plymouth
In Plymouth, we have continued to walk with a range of groups throughout the end of the summer, including an age positive group for the over 65s. The aim of the group, set up by Improving Lives Plymouth, is to reduce isolation and frailty in older adults and attracts residents from across the city. So far, we have met 5 times, building up our walk distance from a short 1 mile walk from Mount Battern to a longer 4.5 mile walk around Noss Mayo. With plenty of stops to explore the local heritage, admire some kestrels hovering above, take in the stunning views and of course, relax with a coffee, we arrived back at our cars with a sense of achievement and looking forward to our next meet up.
Cornwall
We have had a number of walks starting across Cornwall in September. We are working in partnership with The Cove, Macmillan, to run walks for those affected by cancer, whilst also starting walks in St Ives and with Pendennis Community Centre in Falmouth. These walks range in distance and difficulty, and we have been working with local historians and wildlife experts to add an element of learning to them. Our wheelchair Ramble is also going from strength to strength, as we saw 7 wheelchair users plus their support join the ramble along the Bissoe Trail, on a warm September day.
This article is the fourth bi-monthly update on the Coast Path Connectors project. Read the previous updates here:
Coast Path Connectors Summer Update
Coast Path Connectors Spring Update
Coast Path Connectors Project Gets Underway
About the Coast Path Connectors Project
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Coast Path Connectors project aims to open up coastal walking to a range of new audiences. This project will help improve equity of access along the South West Coast Path by supporting local people in making the most of our amazing trail, for their health and well-being, through a network of new volunteers.
MORE INFORMATION
Email: Coast Path Connectors Project Manager, Alex Turner at alex@southwestcoastpath.org.uk
Website: www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/Get-involved/coast-path-connectors/
The South West Coast Path 