Walking for Well-being in the National Park
It is widely recognised that being in nature is beneficial to health and well-being and the communities team from the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has been encouraging and enabling many community groups to access the outdoors during this year.
Knowing where to walk and how to keep safe can be a barrier for many people venturing out in the National Park, some for the first time. The communities team has supported groups from the MS Society, Credu, young carers, refugee groups plus many others as well as being a part of the Canals, Communities and Wellbeing Project. They have facilitated walks, trained group leaders in basic navigation and safety, and provided participants with information on how to find out more about walks to help increase their ability and confidence. Some funding has also been available to help provide transport into the National Park for groups.
The Canals, Communities and Wellbeing Project is a partnership project aiming to promote the Brecon and Monmouth Canal as accessible walking for most abilities. The project showcases the history and wildlife of the canal as well as where to go and what to see nearby.
Wendy Abel, Project Manager, for Powys County Council is involved in the project. She said, ‘Running until May 2023, this collaborative project is being led by Powys County Council’s Countryside Access and Recreation Team, working in partnership with Glandwr Cymru, the Canal and River Trust in Wales, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust and Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. The activity will compliment other initiatives being delivered by the partner organisations and is supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.’
The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority will be running some free Outdoor Leader training for community groups on the 26th January and 27th April at Craig-y-nos Country Park and 15th February and 30th March at the National Park Visitor Centre. If you work with a community group and would like to join one of these courses or discuss taking a group out and about in the National Park, please contact Francesca Bell at francesca.bell@beacons-npa.gov.uk