Caritas ramblers hit city streets for health and wellbeing
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The physical and mental health and wellbeing of people who access all of our services is a key priority for our teams.
One initiative which many people locally have been taking part in is our Caritas ramblers project.
Here, Darren who leads the walks, explains more…
Read on to find out how you can join in too. We’d love to see you at our next one!
Please can you tell us about the rambling group?
I encourage people to join me on urban walks each week – for example, recently, from our Caritas House supported accommodation we went to Angel Meadow and came back via Little Italy in Ancoats.
It was a brilliant sunny day to be out and seeing spring time arrive in our city.
I make the walks fun and easy going, visiting well known places. I make sure everyone has something to say as we walk around the city whether it be about their own life or something they know about – maybe the history of where we are – or some changes they have noticed – a new building or park for example.
All walks begin and end at a Caritas service with the aim of getting some gentle exercise and enjoying a good chat as we go. I’ve had some good feedback so far with people saying they enjoyed being out and feeling much better for it.
It’s early days but I’m optimistic we will encourage more and more people to join us as the weather improves and word gets out. I would like it to be something we all look forward to and all benefit from, that’s my aim.
How did you get involved and why did you want to be part of it?
I used to do lots of walking as an outreach worker within the homelessness services at Manchester City Council accompanying people to their new home or to a GP appointment, for example.
I liked the walking and talking with a person and found it was often where the best work was done. I couldn’t believe my luck when I got this job! I can’t think of a better way to spend time walking with people and seeing the interesting places so we all feel healthier and happier. It’s my dream job really.
Please could you tell us more about which Caritas services are involved in the group, how people can take part, and when the sessions take place/where?
Yes of course, each Thursday morning, we walk from Caritas House or the Lalley Centre and each Friday morning we go from Cornerstone and Morning Star. We walk around 90 minutes in total and try and see as much as we can. It’s surprising how much is on our doorstep.
Rambling in the city sounds interesting and unusual. What kinds of locations/areas will you be going to and why?
Yes, it is interesting and fun. My ideas so far are to walk away from cars and lorries where we can see nature – last week I was shown a wild bird called a nuthatch in Whitworth Park by a Cornerstone rambler.
On the walk from Caritas House, we saw several places LS Lowry painted, and we compared his pictures to the places now and what has changed. We have some great places near us full of social history and nature. We can’t fail to have a good time and that’s why I want as many people as possible to join us and no one to miss out!
Do people need to have high levels of fitness to take part?
No not at all, our walks are very inclusive for any level of fitness. I make sure they are easy going with no big hills to go up or fences to climb over. We don’t want anyone to miss out because they feel it would be too much. Maybe in future we will go on trickier and longer walks but for now I’m interested in anyone who’s interested and getting them out and joining us.
Why are activities like this one so important?
You can’t help but feel healthier and happier going for a walk.
There’s lots of scientific evidence to show this but I think we all know even a short walk will improve our health and mood. Put that together with being in a group and talking whilst walking and the benefits just multiply. Walking helps lower blood pressure, strengthens the heart, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases like stroke and high blood pressure. Regular walking can prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures. It aids weight management by burning calories and helps maintain a healthy weight.
For one’s mental health it releases endorphins which reduce stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression. Walking regularly will improve sleeping and reduce insomnia.
Lastly whilst all these things are all great it’s just nice to be out and about in a little community of walkers looking at the world as we walk and talk, learning about each other as much as the places we visit.
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