Coast Path Connectors
Learning from our previous community outreach work, Coast Path Connectors (CPC) is introducing coastal walking to a range of new audiences and improving 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 wellbeing.
To do this, we have a Community Engagement team and volunteers in 5 hub area along the Coast Path (Cornwall, Plymouth, Torbay, North Devon, and Dorset) who organise social walking programmes for local communities.
The charity is grateful to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding this project in 2023/2024 and work is continuing in 2025, thanks to additional funding from Macmillan Cancer Support; National Lottery Community Fund; and the Clare Milne Trust.
Volunteer walk leaders and walk buddies, act as points of contact and advocates for the Coast Path in their local communities, and show people the heritage and nature in their local area, with the goal of sparking an interest that builds confidence about returning and engaging with nature on future visits. We work with local community groups for identifying people who might benefit most.
Working with Community Organisations
We have been working with over 25 community organisations delivering over 600 walks in the last 2 years, to support groups that might not normally have opportunities to explore the Coast Path, and those whose health would benefit most from social, gentle exercise in the outdoors. Examples of partnerships include:
We also work with health professionals including social prescribers, occupational therapists and mental health workers.
One walking group that was set-up as a result of CPC is Healing Steps in North Devon. This is specifically for people who are experiencing bereavement after losing a life partner. Jeanie Blackall, who leads the group explains:
"It is well proven that connecting with other people with similar life experience, especially during some form of exercise, has a significant positive effect on wellbeing.
Feedback from our members clearly shows that walking together in nature can really nourish our wellbeing and support the healing process in grief and readjustment.
The CPC project has encouraged and supported us to discover walks and places we did not know or would never have tackled outside the group. It has helped us overcome fears and anxieties in going to new places, reduced isolation, and kindled new friendships."
Benefits to participants
We have lead walks with over 4,000 participants. Some of these participants have been referred by health professionals (such as occupational therapists or cancer support workers) or social prescribers, some have come through community or support groups or have joined one of our open walks and live from the local area.
Feedback from regular participants shows the positive impact the CPC work is having:
99% of participants said that the walks had improved their mental health
93% of participants said that the walks had improved their physical health
‘’Sharing time with other people. Talking to other people - beating loneliness“
"Being outside. Meeting new people. Beautiful sunny day. Connecting with nature was a heart filler”
“Feeling Independent”
“You just find yourself walking with different people without consciously choosing to walk with that person, so you naturally mingle and interact without any stress or pressure. Ebb and flow, just like the tide! "
More Information
- **Summary of our NLHF Coast Path Connectors Project achievements** COMING SOON
- An introduction to the project leaflet Project Aims Summary.
- A summary of 2023's key achievements
- For local hub information, contact one of the Community Engagement team listed on this page.
- Or contact [email protected] for general enquiries.
Photo: Mustard Tree Macmillan Cancer Support Centre, Plymouth hub
