Shropshire Mind,  has been awarded nearly £20,000 to run an exciting project, called “On the Way”, to get a group of 20 people with mental health problems actively involved in researching and  producing walking guides for the northern section of the Shropshire Way.

The project, which will be starting shortly, has been funded by Ecominds, a £7.5 million funding scheme run by Mind on behalf of the BIG Lottery Fund.  Ecominds involves people with direct experience of mental distress in environmental projects that improve their mental and physical health, and local communities.

Joe Penfold, Project Officer said: “Research demonstrates that activities like walking groups, gardening, and practical conservation help lift mood, develop motivation and raise self-esteem. The Shropshire countryside is a fantastic resource that provides all sorts of opportunities to improve mental and physical wellbeing.  On the Way involves people in purposeful and meaningful work that is as beneficial to them, as it is the Shropshire countryside”.

To produce the guides, the group will visit and walk various sections of the Shropshire Way to identify interesting places, flora and fauna along the route.  They will then carry out further research using the internet, library and talking to local organisations such as history groups, the ramblers, wildlife trust and rights of way staff in the local authority. 

The information will be brought together to be designed by the group into the finished product in conjunction with a professional design company.  They will also record audio tracks to accompany the guides which walkers will be able to download from the internet and listen to while they are out on the Shropshire Way.

The Fieldfare Trust will be working with Shropshire Mind and Shropshire Council to provide skilled supervision of the project.  The project will build confidence and provide training opportunities for those involved, enabling them to learn new or develop existing skills such as photography, design, drawing, IT skills, research and use of the internet.

Anyone interested in joining the group who will work on the project should contact Shropshire Mind on (01743) 368647 or email admin@shropshiremind.org  as soon as possible.

 I you would like to know more about the project there will be an information session  at 2.00 pm on Thursday 21st April  at Shropshire Mind, Suites 3&4 Observer House, Holywell Street, Shrewsbury SY2 6BL

The information session will be followed by a taster day to be held at Crickheath Hill, North Shropshire on Thursday 28 April 2011.  The mini-bus will depart from Observer House at 10.00 am, please bring walking boots, outdoor wear and a packed lunch.

The objectives of the project are described in the attached PDF file

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