Youngsters stride out for better wellbeing

13 Nov 2023 12:12
Published by: Scott Callan

YEAR six pupils from St Michael’s primary school in Great Lever have been learning about the five key steps to wellbeing on a newly created wellness trail.

A group of 30 children took to the Five Ways Happy Days walk, a two-mile route featuring five new waymarks.

Each waymark gives people the chance to find out about one of the five ways to wellbeing - being connected, being active, learning, taking notice and giving back to others.

Local community groups worked with Bolton Council to create the route and an accompanying map, which features information plus QR codes to find out more online.

More than 1,000 maps have already been handed out through local shops, businesses, pubs and schools.

Phillip Bracegirdle, a teacher at St Michael’s, said: “The Five Ways to Wellbeing event is a fantastic initiative for Bolton.

“Not only does it encourage the children to be outdoors and active, but it gives them a sense of pride in their local community through the connections made with others.

 “There were a number of local residents who stopped by to thank the children for their work in clearing up the local area.

“The children were a credit to both St Michael’s Primary School and the local community in Great Lever.”

The wellness walk and map are the brainchild of Joe Rooney, a community facilitator for the council’s Active Lives engagement team.

He said: “One of the five ways to wellbeing is being connected to your community and the wellness walk literally connects the community in Great Lever, taking in four schools, Deane and Derby Cricket Club, Sunnyside Park and Morris Green.

“Lever Edge environmental group, together with the cricket club, have really been the driving force behind it and I’d like to thank them for their help in bringing it to life.

“We’re continuing to work with schools, community groups and the public and I hope that everyone who walks the trail learns something that will help them with their wellbeing.”

To get copies of the map, email joseph.rooney@bolton.org.uk or call 07385 955 777.

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