Jeanie Blackall – Founder of Healing Steps and Coast Path Connectors Walk Leader, North Devon
First up, we speak to Jeanie Blackall, Founder of Healing Steps, a walking group for people who have lost their life partners. Jeanie founded Healing Steps last year with the help of Huw Davies, Coast Path Connectors Project Officer for North Devon and the group has since flourished. We are thrilled that Jeanie won the Active Devon Volunteer Award for the North Devon District and Torridge area this year for Healing Steps, and to share Jeanie’s experience volunteering for the South West Coast Path Association.
Tell us about Healing Steps and how it’s grown hand in hand with the Coast Path Connectors project.
I started Healing Steps out of a need for myself, because I knew how beneficial it was to get out walking in nature, and I knew I felt better, but it’s really hard to motivate yourself, especially when you’ve lost your life partner. So, I wanted the motivation of a group, and I also wanted to be with like-minded people who understood what I was going through.
We did our first walk in June of last year, and there were four of us there. It’s grown organically since then, through word-of-mouth, Huw’s contacts and the hospice. Coast Path Connectors has been fantastic, it’s good to have a walk leader, because I don’t have to think about where we’re going or the risk assessment. I can focus on getting out there, supporting the people and talking to them. And of course, we have a cup of tea and cake afterwards, which everyone loves!
What benefits do you feel the SWCP brings to Healing Steps?
A lot of people that come on our walks have said they would never have the confidence to do the walks and that they would never normally walk on the Coast Path. Another thing with being widowed, is that you lose your life partner and your whole earth shifts. You lose a lot of confidence in going out and driving, and having the group somehow encourages them to get out and sometimes we car share. The Coast Path is wonderful—the fresh air, the sea, the wildlife… it’s a combination of everything! I’ve done walks I never would have done in locations that I didn’t know existed.
Healing Steps is a walking group that is only for people who have lost their life partners, and because it’s a very specific sort of grief, it’s wonderful to go along knowing that everybody there knows where you’re at. People make the effort to get there, and they know once they’re there that it’s going to be okay. It takes the pressure off trying to hold everything together, which lightens the load. Sometimes we don’t talk, sometimes we talk about ordinary things, sometimes we stop and look at the view, and sometimes it spontaneously happens that you’re talking about something very sensitive and personal. Walking and talking in nature is fantastic.
What new opportunities have come from Healing Steps?
I’ve grown in confidence, and it’s given me a real focus and a motivation. When you lose a life partner, old people in your life seem to disappear, and I realised I needed to make new friends and new connections. Healing Steps has been a solution in that respect, and I’ve got some really good new friendships that have come out of the group. Because we’ve had such a deep, shared life experience, a bond is created, which makes developing friendships much easier.
Do you have a message for anyone thinking of volunteering?
Just give it a go! If you’ve got the slightest inkling, no matter how small, just jump in and try it. I think there’s many more benefits than you think about or realise. There are so many opportunities for volunteering in all different areas, and you don’t need to have particular skills. It’s a willingness to have a go, to try, and to get out there.
Anything else to add?
Thanks to the South West Coast Path Association and the Coast Path Connectors project for supporting Healing Steps, and of course special thanks to Huw, and also our volunteer walks leaders Richard Wilson and Nick Tinkler.
You can find out more about Healing Steps in our 630 Miles – An Audio Journey podcast episode on Connecting Communities. In this episode, podcast host Rachel Hadley-Leonard meets with Huw and Jeanie to discuss the transformative effect of the Coast Path and the healing power of nature.
Paul Miller – Local Path Rep and Coast Path Connectors Walk Leader in Cornwall
Next, we speak to Paul Miller, who works for the National Trust – Glendurgan Garden, and who also volunteers as a Local Path Rep from Penberth to Mousehole and Coast Path Connectors Walk Leader for the SWCPA, the Helford Marine Conservation Group, the Helford Marine Patrol Boat and Plastic Free Helford River. You can also see gorgeous photos from Paul’s exploration in the great outdoors on his Instagram here. Read our conversation with Paul below to find out more about his role on the South West Coast Path.
What prompted you to volunteer for the SWCPA?
I’ve been a long-distance walker for most of my life, and most of it I’ve spent on the Coast Path, especially when living in Cornwall. I was out walking on the north coast one day, around 7 years ago, when I bumped into a National Trust team who were installing some new way markers. I found out the Path gets surveyed by people throughout the whole of the South West Coast Path, so I made some enquiries and got my first section in North Cornwall, from Constantine Bay to Watergate Bay – even though I lived in Falmouth! Over a period of time, I moved down and took over a section from Perranuthnoe to Porthleven, and a couple of years ago I moved down to Penberth Cove to Mousehole.
More recently, I’ve become involved with the Coast Path Connectors. I met Jack nearly two years ago in January or February time, and we did the first trial walk down the Helford River. Quite a few people turned up from different parts of Cornwall. It was a misty, horrible day where you couldn’t see your hands in front of your face, but we still had a great time!
Tell us about your volunteer roles and the impact they have on the Coast Path.
For the path surveys, we’re checking everything along the section of Path, everything that is man-made and potential hazards, which then get sent away. With Coast Path Connectors, it’s getting different groups of people out on the Coast Path. It doesn’t need to be a long walk; it’s just getting people to connect to nature. You get some people who don’t see many other people all week, and to get them to meet up, have a walk, whether it’s a few hundred meters or 4 to 5 miles, it’s good for everyone—for their wellbeing, mental and physical health, connecting to nature, enjoying others’ company and it’s good for the environment, too.
Have you noticed a change with Coast Path Connectors since you started?
Massive! When it started, it was very small and now it’s huge. So many different groups have been involved, such as St Petrocs, NHS staff, Macmillan Cancer, Roll and Strolls and Sunrise Cornwall. I’m really passionate about this project, and the National Trust’s ‘Walk With Us’ project, which goes hand in glove.
What new opportunities have come from your volunteering?
One thing leads to another! Whilst doing these walks, you meet different people. It’s surprising how many different people you meet from different backgrounds on these walks. It’s great to see.
Do you have a message for anyone thinking of volunteering?
If you can spend a very small amount of time volunteering, it can make a massive difference to someone. Our walks at Glendurgan and Coast Path can be very short, could be half an hour to an hour, or up to 2 hours. In just that small amount of time, you can be walking with someone and them talking to you can make a huge amount of difference to them.
Bryn – Area Rep and Coast Path Connectors Volunteer in Dorset
Lastly, we talk to Bryn, one of our fantastic volunteers in Dorset who has volunteered as a Local Path Rep and Area Rep, as well as volunteering on the Coast Path Connectors project in the Dorset hub. On top of volunteering for the Association, Bryn is a Countryside volunteer for the National Trust – Brownsea Island and is also a volunteer for Poole Park Railway. Read on to learn more about Bryn’s role on the South West Coast Path.
What prompted you to volunteer for the SWCPA?
Having enjoyed walking the path so much, I guess volunteering was a way of contributing to looking after the Path and giving me more opportunity to walk it. My interest in coastal walking (walking the line between sea & land) was that it gives so much access and insight into our development and history. It’s also very enjoyable!
Tell us about your volunteer roles and the impact they have on the Coast Path.
Originally, I was interested in a Trustee Role, which seemed to link better with my working career in business management; However, there was nothing appropriate at the time and a Path Rep role near home came up. After a few years, I then moved into the Area Rep role. Both of these roles are hands on and practical and the Area Rep role does involve additional “business-type” activities. The roles contribute to keeping the Path in good order which involves actual maintenance work, getting the support of Councils, the National Trust and driving projects and obtaining funding. I enjoy meeting walkers on the Path and talking about the Path and volunteer opportunities.
What new opportunities have come from your volunteering?
For the Path, my involvement has resulted in path improvements and projects in Dorset, and enhancement to the Official Guide to the South West Coast Path. For me, it’s improved my knowledge and appreciation of how councils and landowners work, got me more interested in local geography and history, and made me want to be more active in getting other people more interested and active in walking the Path.
Photo: Path improvement project involving new steps in Swanage by Dorset County Council
Do you have a message for anyone thinking of volunteering?
Volunteering is a fun and fulfilling experience. It’s a double win when you do something linked to an interest, there’s more chance to enjoy your interest and contribute to enhancing it! Volunteering also gives the opportunity to meet people, build friendships and work with people on different levels than what you’d perhaps be used to. As an example, in my working experience, I rarely worked with direct customers. Now, persuading people to connect with the Path and driving families around on a Park Railway train has widened my experiences.
Thinking of volunteering for the SWCPA?
We always welcome new volunteers and are interested in a wide range of skills and expertise. If you have time to spare – from a few hours to a few days or more, we would love to hear from you.
We have a range of volunteering opportunities available including:
- joining our dedicated team of Local and Area Reps, who walk the Path regularly to make sure it’s in tip top shape;
- support our Coast Path Connectors project in engaging with local communities on the Path
- supporting the teamin our events and campaigns; and
- becoming a Trustee with oversight of the charity’s governance.
Take a look at the volunteer page on our website to find out more, here.
The South West Coast Path 