A series of walks is being created around our City to help families get to know their area, improve their wellbeing and build stronger communities.
Go Walks is the result of a new partnership between the City Council and The Outdoor Guide – an organisation that strongly believes in the value of enjoying a healthy life outdoors – which has built a national network of walks throughout the UK in both cities and the countryside.
All of the walks will be available online and paper copies will also be available to collect from the Family Hubs.
In Coventry, the walks are based around the City’s Family Hubs that provide welcoming, safe spaces where children, young people and families can access services and help, while enjoying fun activities and build friendships.
The eight Family Hubs are: Wood Side, Pathways, Park Edge, Mosaic, The Moat, Harmony, Families for All and Aspire.
There will be a total of nine walks, with two at Wood Side - one is accessible and suitable all year round, the other is suitable for dry weather and people on foot.
Each walk is around 5,000 steps in length, with the exception of Pathways, which is a little longer. Family hubs are encouraging families to get out in the Spring sunshine this Easter holidays and join staff in going on the walk and then return to the Hub for refreshments and fun activities.
The aim of the walks is to link the Hubs with the green spaces in their areas. Showing local families the amazing facilities right on their doorstep – from parks and woodland to social supermarkets, food banks, drop in centres, places of worship, medical centres and primary schools. This initiative delivers on our pledge to children and young people to help them be and feel healthy as part of Child Friendly Cov.
As well as enabling residents to get to know their area better and see the numerous facilities and support on offer, the walks will also introduce new arrivals to the City to their neighbourhood and bring people together. Families will be able to connect with their local Family Hub and discover all the free activities and resources available for them.
Cllr Patricia Seaman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Our Family Hubs are a fantastic success. Really bringing people and organisations together and revealing just how much support there is for families right in the heart of so many communities in our City.”
“Now, with new Go Walks, there are even more reasons to visit your local Hub, get some fresh air, enjoy our green spaces and discover more about your neighbourhood.”
Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, said: “We are delighted to welcome Go Walks to our Go CV family. This free scheme has enabled thousands to enjoy leisure opportunities and cultural venues and has grown to include other offers such as Go Parks.
“I know Go Walks will prove popular and will not only provide families the opportunity to get healthy and enjoy leisure time together, but also show them where help and support is available - building strong communities.”
Gina Bradbury Fox, founder of The Outdoor Guide, said: “We are delighted to be working with Coventry City Council on this exciting new project. Our ethos is to enable more and more people to spend time outside and become active. The areas the walks cover have some amazing green spaces - you'd be forgiven at times for not realising you're so close to the heart of the city!"
The walks will be "live" in time for the Easter Holidays from 11-25 April and form part of the Family hub holiday activities. A celebration event will take place on 25 April at the Moat Family Hub, hosted by guest of honour, and much-loved children’s TV presenter, Gemma Hunt and Ambassador for The Outdoor Guide Foundation.
To learn more about Go Walks, visit The Outdoor Guide’s website. A series of online guides will also be available.
To find out more about your local Family Hub offer please visit www.coventryfamilies.co.uk