A spring in their step!
|
|
A spring in their step! |
|
|
|
Site Map | The Dyfi Valley | Map | Join us | Glossary | Useful links | Contact us | Have your say | Search | News | Events |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Become a member of ecodyfi by joining our team of talented and voluntary development workers and catalysts. Help conserve our environment and improve our quality of life |
17/11/2006 Local organisations in the Dyfi Valley are celebrating this week, following their success in attracting nearly £200,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.The grant will be spent during the next four years, through a programme called Mentro Allan. This means "Venturing Out" and is all about encouraging local people to get out and enjoy the outdoors. The programme of events and activities is expected to include treasure hunts on foot or bike, family orienteering, buggy walks, various activities in the woods and gardening. Some activities will be vigorous but others will be designed for people not used to exercise. The programme aims to increase activity levels by increasing the recreational use of the natural environment. The Dyfi Valley has been chosen as one of 15 areas in Wales because it is a very rural area where some people are disadvantaged, for example by having few travel options. The steering group that has won the grant is led by community regeneration group ecodyfi. It includes Community Action Machynlleth And District and Communities First. Health Visitors, NCH Sure Start, Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, US Mach and Play Montgomeryshire are also involved, as are the Inequalities in Health project, Powys County Council and the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations. The Sports Council for Wales leads the national partnership that is supporting the development and Machynlleth & District Local Community Forum organised the meetings to design the programme. They are all convinced that doing things outdoors is a great way to improve our mental as well as physical health and that prevention of ill-health is far better (and more fun) than cure. They point to the success of the Walkaround Bro Ddyfi initiative, that has brought people together for regular gentle walks and created friendships along the way. Certain sections of the population face specific barriers to participation above and beyond those that are experienced by most people. The Dyfi Valley steering group has decided to pay most attention to parents of young children, 11 – 18 year olds and people with mental health problems. They are keen to point out, however, that most of us would benefit from more exercise and that everybody will be welcome at the activities. The steering group is recruiting staff already. "We'd like to get the two paid members of staff started in the New Year", said ecodyfi Manager Andy Rowland, "so that they can offer activities from early Spring." "There will be opportunities for people to learn new skills and meet people by helping to run activities as well," he added. Further information:
Notes to Editors
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
