There was a lovely moment for Access the Dales during our walk at Ilam Park when I looked around and saw everyone chatting as we made our way along the path. For many of the women with us, this was their first time out in the countryside. By the end of the day, they were already talking about doing more.
We had come together for an event in the YHA Festival of Walking, organised with Access the Dales, The festival brings people together through organised social walks, encouraging them to explore new places and enjoy the outdoors in good company. It was important to us at Access the Dales that an accessible walk was part of it. A festival that celebrates walking should offer a way in for disabled people as well as those who need a gentler pace or the reassurance of walking with a supportive group Sheffield Environmental Movement and Roshni Sheffield. Our walk was relaxed and welcoming, with time to enjoy the surroundings and each other’s company.
Sheffield Environmental Movement helps people from Black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee communities in Sheffield connect with green spaces and the wider countryside, whist the Roshni Sheffield supports South Asian women across the city. Working with both groups helps us understand what might make a countryside visit feel difficult, and what might make it possible.
As we walked, our conversations turned to the barriers some of the ladies felt. We talked about culture, confidence and the courage it can take to step beyond your comfort zone. We talked about the need to feel that you belong somewhere and that you will be accepted when you arrive. An accessible path matters enormously, but so does the welcome at the start of it.
One of the ladies said she could taste the fresh air. I loved that. It captured the pleasure of being outdoors in a new place and having the time to take it all in.
Ilam Park, in the Peak District, gave us a beautiful setting for the day. Historic Ilam Hall stands among open parkland and hills, with YHA Ilam Hall close to where we began. The National Trust’s newly installed accessible paths make it easier to explore the grounds together, with places to pause and enjoy the view. Accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility help people plan a visit with confidence. There are refreshments on site, and parking is free for National Trust members and Blue Badge holders. Ilam Park feels like a gentle introduction to the Peak District. The grand stone frontage of Ilam Hall rises above sweeping lawns, while wooded paths lead towards a stone bridge and glimpses of the River Manifold. Beyond the trees are the rolling hills of the White Peak. It is the sort of place that invites you to slow down, look around and stay a little longer. On our walk, the wide paths gave us room to travel together, chat and stop whenever we wanted to enjoy the view.
At Access the Dales, we work to break down the barriers that keep people from enjoying the outdoors. Sometimes that means finding the right route or equipment. On days like this, it also means walking alongside someone on their first visit, listening to what they need and making space for them to enjoy the countryside in their own way.
There were plenty of smiles and conversations throughout the day. Nobody had to walk a particular distance or keep to a particular pace. We could stop, look around and share what we were experiencing. Hearing the ladies say they wanted to come back and wanted to do more walks was wonderful.