Spring into Action made to feel at home at Rhyddings Park
During the COVID pandemic Spring into Action was looking for ways to encourage safe socialising for their members with learning disabilities. The voluntary sector organisation set their sights on Rhyddings Park in Oswaldtwistle as the ideal location to run their guided walk from when the covid restrictions allowed.
Spring into Action approached Friends of Rhyddings Park with some apprehension knowing this was going to be a big ask given neither of them had any prior relationship and Spring into Action’s budget was not in a position to pay them to access the park’s facilities.
From early conversations around the planning – walking routes, insurance, timetabling right through to accommodating people’s individual requirements – it was clear Ann and the whole of the Rhydding’s Park team were on board to help Spring into Action launch this service.
Since these first talks, Spring into Action have delivered up to 50 walks and over the winter period, the group have been enjoying weekly Boxercise classes led by Ann’s son, Lewis. Their members said the following when asked about their experience of going to the park…
“I came here because we need other people and this is a great way to meet people, especially with similar struggles. The park is close by, and I love its heritage and gardens”
Jonathan
“Really good fun and the park is very nice. I feel comfortable being in the park and with the Spring into Action group”
Harry
“People are amazing, and the scenery is lovely. I didn’t expect to enjoy boxing but was surprised how much I did and how it made me feel. It’s an exciting place where I feel at ease”
Glyn
“I love the boxing class and I really liked the walks. Meeting other people is good, I live at home with my mum”
Melvin
As the weather brightens and the days get longer, Spring into Action will be going back to the Wednesday walks. Plus, the indoor session won’t be stopping instead this will be moved to a Friday, giving yet another chance for the members to come together to socialise and be active.
What’s really helped make this possible has been the underlying support provided to Friends of Rhydding’s Park by the Hyndburn Let’s Invest fund. The fund has helped Ann and the park’s team to accommodate the wider community to experience this wonderful park.
Spring into Action are supporting the Let’s Move Hyndburn campaign by encouraging and helping their members to track the distance on their weekly walks through the Let’s Move Hyndburn app. Also, Spring into Action hope to help members and others in the community to download the free app to discover more opportunities to get physically active in the local area.
You can learn more about Spring into Action and the services they offer by visiting – www.spring-projects.co.uk/
For more about Let’s Move Hyndburn and how it is supporting local community groups in getting people active please visit www.hyndburnleisure.co.uk/community/lets-move-hyndburn/
