Hillwalking with Forth Valley Street Sport
Photo: Chris Ord
As part of the Ramblers' Association's Get Fit For Tomorrow project, funded by the Paths for All Partnership, we are helping young people from disadvantaged and problem backgrounds re-enter society, through a pioneering partnership based in Alloa, Clackmannanshire.
Ramblers Scotland was approached in autumn 2005 by Forth Valley Street Sport, a project working with people who are not in employment or education in one of Scotland's most deprived areas, to take their clients out hillwalking. So far 20 participants, aged between 16 and 34, have enrolled for the project, which is proving to be of immense benefit to their lives.
Street Sport grew out of Street Soccer, a football project working with Falkirk FC to train a team of homeless men for the Homeless World Cup, but the walking project is broadening its appeal, particularly to less competitive participants and to women.
The work builds on the experience of the Big Issue Scotland's Abercorn project, which found walking was the most effective tool for personal development among people facing serious deprivation and other social problems. "It works right across the board and is far more valuable than more structured programmes," comments Big Issue social development director Jim Brown. "It expands their horizons, gives them experiences and social confidence, and helps rebuild health after drug misuse."
"We are delighted to be involved in Street Sport," says Ramblers Scotland promoting walking officer Kathryn Wortley. "Walking can transform lives and we are keen to be involved in similar worthwhile projects nationwide."
Read more about the project
in an article by Dominic Bates, walk
magazine, Spring 2007 (PDF, 208kB).
More about Get Fit for Tomorrow.
The partnership with
Forth Valley Street Sport is a Ramblers promoting walking project.
Read more about promoting walking
work in Great Britain.