Supporting asylum seekers to walk in nature

Brian, chair of Biddulph Ramblers, shares how and why he has started organising walks for asylum seekers

I’ve always been a walker and I joined the Ramblers in 2022 after my wife passed away following a long fight with cancer. It was a means for me to mix socially with a bigger and different group, and a way to get myself out of the house. Joining was one of the best things I ever did. It’s a really great, social crowd. When the previous Chair of Biddulph Ramblers decided to step down in November 2023, I took on the role. Using my professional experience as a sales director in the pottery industry, I’ve done quite a few things to try and promote the Ramblers, such as running stalls at local carnivals and events. 

 

Reaching out to under-served communities

In April, I read the new Ramblers strategy document which I found very interesting regarding the idea of reaching out to under-served communities. Within this there was mention of supporting asylum seekers, including a video by Mole Valley Ramblers which I thought was fascinating. It was quite moving to hear the asylum seekers speaking about their experiences and how happy they were that somebody showed an interest in them and helped them to get out into the countryside. That sparked my interest in doing something similar. 

 

Navigating the system

I contacted Stoke-on-Trent Council, and Staffordshire County Council to see if there were people locally that might be able to help. Both councils were really enthusiastic about the opportunity but there were quite a few steps to negotiate to get things underway. Whilst the councils are responsible for the refugees allocated to their area, the task of looking after them is handed on to different agencies. Stoke council put me in touch with a group called VAST (Voluntary Action Stoke on Trent) and we started to organize a walk for the asylum seekers in their care. Lately we’ve hit a few barriers relating to transportation to get people out of the city centre to the walk start point so, for now, I’ve arranged a walk that goes directly from the centre of town. 

 

Walks for young unaccompanied asylum seekers

Separately, the County Council put me in contact with a group called Amity Hub who look after the welfare of young, unaccompanied asylum seekers between the ages of 16 and 19 and we arranged our first walk in Apedale, an area of reclaimed parkland on the edge of Newcastle-under-Lyme. I was joined by the Regional Engagement Officer from the Ramblers, our Walks Manager from Biddulph Ramblers plus two of the staff from Amity Hub and five young asylum seekers. Three were from Sudan and two were from Eritrea and it transpired that they’ve all been victims of the civil war that has been taking place in the Darfur area since 2003. 

They have all been here for 12 months or less and all are in education in local colleges. Their command of English is improving but patchy, but their understanding was good as long as you spoke in fairly simple English. One boy told me he has no family while another said his father was a solder and he’d been killed. They’ve clearly been through some difficult times and had chosen to escape the war by ultimately arriving in England on boats across the Channel which they knew was dangerous. 

Three walkers heading up a woodlands path

Engaging with the natural world

It was really interesting to see that the one thing they enjoyed most was the animals we encountered en route. They were fascinated by the cows and horses we saw and a ginger cat we met, all taking lots of photos. In many ways it was really touching and, perhaps, after all the harrowing experiences they’ve had in their lives, it is maybe hard for them to trust humans. Instead, they seem to relate to animals quite easily. It was quite intriguing and just great to see the joy on the faces of the youngsters. They obviously loved it. I came to realise that they don’t normally have the opportunity to get out of the city. They go to their college and they come home and they are possibly wary of the world around them because it’s so alien versus what they are used to. So it was a chance for them to see the countryside on their doorstep. 

The walk was clearly successful and we’ve now arranged to do a second walk in a few weeks’ time. I’m shortly going to contact all our members locally to see if they’ve got any old equipment they no longer need because the asylum seekers obviously don’t have kit such as proper walking boots or shoes and decent waterproofs. 

 

Helping others to enjoy the outdoors 

I would definitely encourage other Ramblers groups to get involved in this kind of project if they can. I think they’ll find that their local councils will be highly enthusiastic about the idea. It’s true that it can be a bit of a labyrinthine task finding the right people who are able help make it happen and who can liaise with the asylum seekers but that just needs some perseverance. It’s so aligned to the ethos of the Ramblers in helping people to enjoy the outdoors and to enjoy the countryside around us for all the health and mental benefits that brings. That applies to asylum seekers as much as to a member of the Ramblers. And, undoubtedly, it’s a very rewarding experience personally. 

A group of asylum seekers and walk leaders smiling, standing on a bridge in a sunny woodland.

Organising walks for asylum seekers

Mole Valley Ramblers are giving asylum seekers in Surrey the opportunity to get out walking in the beautiful Surrey Hills.

London Blind Ramblers walking up a path in Surrey

Walking with the London Blind Ramblers

London Blind Ramblers organise walks for visually impaired people, thanks to support from Ramblers groups who lead walks and provide sighted guides

Lady taking a selfie photo with the Peak District landscape behind her.

Walking with the Ramblers and my local Muslim women’s group

Farkhanda is a member of the Ramblers and also leads walks for Muslim women who might feel hesitant to join mainstream walking groups.