Walking or wheeling for wellbeing has long been a favoured pastime across Style Acre houses and hubs. This year, people have covered lots of extra mileage through walking initiatives and it’s only July!
Our first walking challenge of the year was finishing walking the Ridgeway Trail. The challenge began last year as part of Style Acre’s 30th anniversary celebrations. A group of people we support embarked on a fundraising challenge to cover the 87 mile trail in 12 sections. The walkers experienced all weathers and took in some stunning scenery along the way. Friendships were made as people helped each other to complete each walk. Fitness was improved and a new mission was set along the way – to climb Yr Wyddfa! (Snowdon).
A Snowdon team soon assembled. In May, a team of 37 people, including 14 people we support, took on the challenge of climbing the highest mountain in Wales together. It was a tough climb through rain, wind and cold temperatures, but everyone showed determination and team spirit. Reaching the summit was a tremendous achievement and a proud moment for the whole team and their supporters. Climbing Yr Wyddfa certainly showed what can be achieved with great support and teamwork.
Back home in Oxfordshire, Spring saw the launch of the Style Acre Active Travel Guide. We’ve created easy read walking resources and walking guides as part of an Active Travel project to support walking and wheeling for leisure and in everyday activities.
These are available to borrow from our hubs and the Style Acre office, and can be found on our website here. People we support have roles as Active Travel Champions and helped create the walking guide. The guide includes routes in Banbury, Witney, Didcot, Abingdon and Oxford. We’ve led walks on the Oxford, Banbury and Didcot routes so far. We look forward to led walks in Witney in August and in Abingdon in September. We’re grateful to Active Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire County Council who have supported this project as part of the Community Outreach Active Travel (COAT) Programme.
We have some funding for people supported by Style Acre to buy equipment to help with active travel. People can apply for equipment or other things that will help them to be more active and get out walking or wheeling more. This could include things like walking boots, a waterproof jacket or a sun hat/sunglasses. Contact Anita for more information about applying.
We look forward to hearing about everyone’s summer, autumn and winter walks! We’d love to see your walking photos, please email them to us at community@styleacre.org.uk
