By Katherine Turner
A new West Leeds walking group is aiming to help Bramley residents get outdoors.
Barca-Leeds is a multi-purpose organisation in Bramley providing specialist services to help people overcome a broad range of issues and has recently created a walking group for people of all ages and abilities to come together and get out into the fresh air.
Claire Roberts, Senior Project Worker at Barca, oversees the Bramley and Stanningley ward. Claire explained that she would like to help the walking group grow: “It’s term-time only, really accessible. It started in March, we have three people walking with us at the moment. We would like as many as possible.
“People can dip in and out, weather depending, if the weather is bad we can always go for a cuppa.”
Walking has long been known to help improve mental health. NHS site, Every Mind Matters says: “One of the best things we can do for our mental health and wellbeing is to be active – it’s a natural mood booster. Our bodies release feel-good hormones when we’re active that can also reduce anxiety and stress, and help us sleep better.”
Claire Roberts agrees, explaining that walking gives a “connection and seeing green” that can really make a difference.
Bramley has lots of green spaces and Claire shared the different routes they can take: “We have Bramley Park, Stanningley Park and can go further depending on the group consensus.”
Walkie Talkie, Walking Group meet on a Tuesday at 9.30am at Bramley Park War Memorial.
Barca also have a Click and Connect group which is a drop-in session at Manor House in Bramley. This runs every Friday from 10am until 12pm to give advice and information on digital services, how to stay safe online, learning digital skills and having access to free Wi-Fi.
Claire is keen to highlight that there is a growing number of residents in the local community that are excluded from using digital services, some don’t have access to the internet or have an email address to register for services such as the NHS app.
The added: “We just want you to drop in and have a cuppa and we can help with any digital issues, from your phone to your laptop.”
- For more information on any of the services provided by Barca, call 0113 2559582 or email reception@barca-leeds.org or visit their website.
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