With support from Paths for All, the Scottish walking charity who champion exercise for maintaining health and wellbeing, and as part of The National Lottery Community Fund backed #ConnectCreateChange project at Ceartas, we have been supporting people who feel isolated and/or lonely to get back out into their local communities. Initially a short term project, feedback from local walkers has ensured that the Auchinairn health walk remains a permanent event on the Ceartas calendar.

Our Development Worker, Kenny Ritchie, tells us more about the walk:

Our new health walk for the residents of Auchinairn and surrounding areas has taken shape. The word has spread and we now have a great group. Our route takes us away from the busy main roads and allows group members to chat and interact in a peaceful and natural environment. There is lots of laughter and chats about life events. There is even time for some history about Auchinairn in general. The group have forged positive friendships with each other.

As well as our walk the group are keen to try new experiences so there is opportunity to engage in basket ball, hand to eye coordination activities and general mobility exercises. We even had time for a lovely socially distanced sit down with tea and coffee with some biscuits in the sunshine.

Kenny Ritchie

Here’s what our walkers had to say:

“I’m so happy I came to the group as I have met new friends.”

“The group gives me something to look forward to each week and I really enjoy it.”

“Coming to the group has really helped my mental wellbeing as well as my physical wellbeing.”

For more information on our health walks, our advocacy & information provision, or the range of activities we run at Ceartas, please contact the team on 0141 775 0433 or info@ceartas.org.uk