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 areas 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 into 2025 and 2026, thanks to additional funding from Macmillan Cancer Support; National Lottery Community Fund; and the Clare Milne Trust.
Volunteer with us
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.
Full training and support is given to all our volunteers and our volunteer walk leaders undertake a Community Walk Leader course (which is accredited to the Institute of Outdoor Learning).
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.
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 in 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
More Information
- Introduction leaflet to this community engagement work
- Our end of 2025 wrap-up blog
- A summary of 2023's key achievements
- External Evaluation report of the 2022-24 NLHF project
- For local hub information, contact one of the Community Engagement team listed on this page.
- Or contact [email protected] for general enquiries.
