Highland carers are set to benefit from new charity partnership
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High Life Highland's (HLH) Countryside Rangers are working with Connecting Carers to provide walks for carers.
Connecting Carers, a Dingwall based charity, supports unpaid carers across the Highlands to help them have a better everyday life.
By working together on a variety of different scenic walks, they hope to create a space to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Doctor Linda Birnie, training officer with Connecting Carers said: “Improving our connection with nature brings a whole host of health and wellbeing benefits – reducing stress, improving sleep and boosting your immune system to name just a few.
“Many more people have started an unpaid caring role during the Covid pandemic, juggling caring responsibilities whilst holding down a job.
“Most significantly eight out of 10 carers say their health is worse because of caring responsibilities.
“We are delighted to have been enabled by the Carer Respite Support and Development Fund run by the Carers Trust, so these walks can be provided in locations across Highland. Why not join us and see what it can do for you?”
Countryside Ranger Paul Castle added: “We recently had a lovely leisurely walk in the sunshine at Thurso shore with a group of local carers.
“We looked at some of the birds found by the shore including gulls, wigeon ducks, oystercatchers and turnstone.
“We were also lucky enough to watch common seals while we walked and talked. I’m really looking forward to our next walk at Thurso riverside in May.”
The schedule for upcoming walks is:
- April 19, 11am, Lairg Pine Woods
- April 21, 11am, Culloden History Walk
- April 26, 1pm, Loch Morlich Beach
- April 27, 1pm, Dingwall Ferry Point
- May 5, 1pm, Thurso Riverside
- May 10, 1:30pm, Riverside Walk Aviemore
- May 12, 1pm, Invergordon Woodland
- May 17, 10am, Ullapool half hill
- May 19, 11am, Botanic Gardens Inverness
The walks must be booked in advance by emailing Linda Birnie at events@connectingcarers.org.uk.
