It is widely recognised that being in nature is beneficial to health and well-being and the communities team from the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority has been encouraging and enabling many 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 engaged with groups from the MS Society, 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 walk leaders in basic navigation and safety, and provided participants with walk leaflets and where to find out more about walks for their ability and confidence.
The Canals, Communities and Well-being 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, Communications Officer 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, Bannau Brycheiniog 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 Bannau Brycheiniog 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 a guided walk, please contact Francesca Bell at francesca.bell@beacons-npa.gov.uk
ENDS