Enable2, Get Out More CIC and Bradford Council help families reconnect with nature.

15 Mar 2018

In collaboration with fellow local social enterprise Get Out More CIC and Stronger Families, we funded four guided community walks across Bradford, helping families reconnect with nature and become stronger by getting out into the wilderness.. The walks were aimed at parents and their children with a purpose of providing an enjoyable, free activity to exercise, bond and be in touch with nature.

Reactions from social return project

The feedback from the families was extremely positive, they enjoyed "seeing spring", "how welcoming and friendly (the leaders were)". One family member commented that it was great "getting out into the fresh air and having some exercise, looking for signs of spring and getting to know people". 

Why Walking?

Walking in itself has many health benefits - NHS England notes that it is one of the easiest ways to lose weight and become healthier. These outings were about much more than this though. Annie Berrington, Managing Director at Get Out More, headed the walks and incorporated numerous activities including tram rides, tent building and other outdoor games. This meant that the families were also able to mingle with one another. When asked why projects like this are important, Annie replied:

“Walking is not just great exercise for the body, its good for the mind too. Studies have shown that walking helps to combat depression, reduce stress and have a positive impact on mood and the benefits are greater when we walk in nature. February can be a cold miserable month, but getting some fresh air, seeing signs of spring and chatting to other people can be wonderfully uplifting, as we have seen in these series of walks in Bradford this month.”

Similarly, Cath Ormerod, the Bradford Hub Manager for Stronger Families, commented that “the activities have been a revelation…” and that the walks “had really great outcomes for our families”.

It is fantastic to be able to partner with a fellow community interest company to provide enjoyable and memorable moments for children and adults. Further, through collaborating with Stronger Families, this allowed parents and children to connect with nature, mix with others and escape from the economic pressures of today’s society.

To keep up-to-date with our social return projects, make sure you check out our news section on our website regularly.