Making the most of our coast.
Timebank have recently been approached by The South West Coast Path Project and invited to participate in the Lottery Funded Coastal Path walks. Gemma, Coast Path Connectors Project Officer, came along to Efford and Devonport Socials to have a chat with members and find out if they would like the idea of exploring the beautiful coastal paths we have nearby on foot and Stonehouse members were invited along too.
Gemma listened to the groups conversations and took on board their concerns around mobility, health and anxiety. Taking away this information she came up with the idea of ‘coast and craft’ as well as a walk for those who could. So, for those who couldn’t walk too far, a walk from the bus to the café and then to the beach was planned so people could still appreciate being able to travel out of the city and enjoy being on the coast. This was a wonderful idea and it proved to our members that their voices were heard and and their abilities catered for.
Dates were set, April 25th for our first walk to Cawsand and May 22nd for a trip to Mount Edgecombe.
On the day, although the sun was shining in Plymouth, it hid a little from us at the beach but it did not stop us from enjoying a short stroll to the beach to collect shells, driftwood and sea glass. Members who were happy to walk went over to Kingsand to enjoy the views from there too. An invigorating time was had by all.
It was a great opportunity for members of three different Timebank groups to meet one another and engage. They really enjoyed new conversations and finding out about each other and their surroundings. On the way back to the bus stop Tess and Linda took time to forage three cornered leek amongst other things and this inspired us to try and get a local forager to join us on one of our upcoming walks.
Some quotes from members on the Cawsand walk:
“I enjoyed meeting new people and the nice, flat walk along the beach”
“It was good to be out of Plymouth, my knees appreciated that the walk was level. Smelt salty air and hunted for pebbles”
“I enjoyed the company and the scenery”
“I’ve been here [Cawsand] before but forgot how nice it is”
“I foraged Three Cornered Leek and ate it on the bus, it was lovely”
