The Mountain Pass
Project Overview
Originally funded by the National Lottery, The Mountain Pass is a walking programme made up of weekly local walks that include mindfulness techniques to enable participants to be more resilient and improve their health and wellbeing. Over 100 people have benefitted from the programme since 2023. In Wirral it is hosted by Nightingale Café CIC, Birkenhead. We are accepting referrals and seeking to establish more walking groups in the region.
What We Do
Based at Nightingales Café in the heart of Birkenhead, participants take part in volunteer-led weekly walks in the beautiful landscape of Wirral and the surrounding area. Each week, individuals come together to embark on invigorating walks of varying lengths, with most averaging around five miles. These walks explore a variety of terrains, allowing participants to experience the beauty of nature while enjoying the company of others. Throughout the year, the program features at least one particularly challenging walk designed to motivate participants to push their limits and achieve their personal goals. This element of challenge not only promotes physical fitness but also instills a sense of accomplishment that can inspire lasting change.
The aim of the walks is to encourage participants to adopt a more healthy lifestyle with healthier habits, and are challenged to sustain their healthier lifestyle beyond this programme. A dedicated WhatsApp group encourages the participants to socialise beyond the walks, fostering new friendship groups for the future; whilst on the walks, participants are encouraged to share their journeys with each other.
Participants who are interested are encouraged to become volunteers who lead the walks. This not only enhances their own journey but also allows them to give back to the community, guiding fellow walkers on their own paths to health and well-being.