Evaluation of our pilot walking project for Syrian refugee families

We’re so pleased to share the evaluation of a wonderful project we were part of this summer that supported Syrian refugee families to walk together in Greenwich, South London.

Led by our Plumstead Blaze Trails walking group organiser Laura, as part of her own work at Between Humans, we partnered with Greenwich Inclusion Project (GrIP) to:

• bring the joys and benefits that come with walking to Syrian refugee families

• to increase confidence amongst participants around getting outdoors

• to help families with babies and young children from the Syrian community to feel connected to their local area.

The project also sought to explore how organisations like Blaze Trails CIC, who supports parents across the country to get outdoors, and a local place-based community organisation like Greenwich Inclusion Project, could work together to help groups traditionally under-represented in the outdoors to access nature.

Four walks took place between July-September 2022, with 12 Syrian families attending, and 37 people involved in total.

The evaluator, Ruth Naughton-Doe, a Research Fellow at the University of York, used creative methods such as ‘zine-making to illuminate the outcomes of the project around the following areas:

• Seeing new places

• Improving English language

• Physical health

• Well-being

• Time in nature

• Quality time with friends and family

• Sharing food

• Benefits for children

Ruth also identified some barriers or challenges that families faced in getting outdoors:

• Weather

• Public transport and mobility

• Being busy or having other responsibilities

What comes through in the evaluation is not only positive experiences that families had while out walking together, including the important role that sharing food played in enjoying time outdoors, but also the learning for us and other organisations of how we can partner to support similar community groups to get outside in the future.

We’re really excited to continue supporting GrIP to build capacity in their organisation and run volunteer-led walks in Greenwich, and to see how we can support other local Blaze Trails walking groups to connect with community organisations in their local areas.

We hope you enjoy reading the evaluation - please do get in touch with any of us involved to ask questions, or to work with us and build on the learning within.

Click here to download the full report, or read the report below.

With special thanks from Blaze Trails CIC to:

Laura, who’s ideas, energy and commitment to her local community were at the heart of this project

Fatima, who took such care to support the families to take the leap into walking together

Ruth, for working alongside the partnership to capture the project’s outcomes

To find out more, please contact:

Fatima, Sanctuary Project Volunteer Co-ordinator, Greenwich Inclusion Project: fatima.jama@griproject.org.uk

Laura, Founder, Between Humans: hello@between-humans.com

Katy, Founder, Blaze Trails CIC: hello@blazetrails.org.uk

Blaze Trails CIC x ACAI Outdoorwear - Launching our new community partnership with a Peak District hike!

Our Blaze Trails mission is to support more mothers and parents to get out exploring with their babies, and experience the amazing outdoors together through our walking groups.

Which is why we’re so excited to announce our new partnership with ACAI Outdoorwear!

ACAI design seriously practical and beautiful clothing that helps women get out on all sorts of adventures. They’re committed to helping more women experience the mental and physical health benefits of the outdoors.

After harbouring some proper girl crushes for a while, we’re chuffed to work with founder Kasia, Talli and the lovely team at ACAI on their inaugural Community Partnership.

And we had the joy of kicking off the partnership yesterday with a group walk in Padley Gorge in the Peak District - it was an incredible sight seeing 32 parents and their babies from our Sheffield, High Peak and Manchester walking groups wandering through the Autumn landscape together!

Why is Blaze Trails CIC partnering with ACAI Outdoorwear?

We’re here to tackle the barriers that stop mums and parents getting outside. Walking group members from across our 10,000+ strong community often tell us that not having the right clothing or kit to go walking in all UK weathers makes it harder for them to get out the front door.

As parents, we spend so long thinking (rightly!) about how to dress our babies and children to keep them safe and warm, but it’s really easy to forget our own needs (story of every parent’s life right?!).

We wanted to support mums to find great outdoor clothes that work for them, and learn about technical clothing, even if they’ve previously not described themselves as ‘outdoorsy’.

We like that ACAI was founded and is run by women and mums who ‘get it’, and as well as creating kickass clothing, they’re genuinely committed to inspiring women and increasing representation of women in the outdoors.

What does the Blaze Trails x ACAI partnership aim to achieve?

• Reduce the barriers women face which prevent them from getting outdoors;

• Empower mums to get outdoors with their babies;

• Help new mums gain and grow their confidence so they feel able to get out walking with their babies;

• Offer Mums time and space outdoors to relax with like-minded women.

The ACAI x Blaze Trails’ pledge:

ACAI and Blaze Trails are committed to encouraging more parents of young children to either continue, or start, spending time outdoors.

A word from ACAI’s Founder, Kasia...

“When I suffered from post-natal depression it was getting outdoors every day which was my remedy. Fresh air, exercise and nature have incredible healing powers for new Mums, and this tonic has greater strength when prescribed with a community of women on the same journey.

“In recent years my husband and I have made conscious choices over where and how we live; to ensure our family can get into nature as much as possible and reap the benefits for ourselves and our children. I hope that through our partnership with Blaze Trails we can inspire and give opportunities for other parents to do the same.”

A word from Blaze Trails Founder, Katy...

“Before becoming a parent I loved adventures in the outdoors. But as I navigated being a new mum, I couldn’t find a parent and baby walking group local to me. “Taking matters into my own hands I set up Blaze Trails, and it wasn’t long before our communities of new parents were appearing all around the UK for hiking and walking together.

“Our mission is to nurture and nourish new parents by connecting them with the outdoors and with a supportive peer network. So we’re super excited by the additional reach we’ll have thanks to the Community Partnership with ACAI.”

Stay tuned!

Sign up to our newsletter mailing list for the latest partnership news and special discount codes.

And visit the ACAI website to explore their gorgeous range of outdoor wear.

We’ve got loads more joint adventures, practical tips, clothing reviews and opportunities coming up for you to get involved in!

Autumn walks with little explorers

By Erin, Blaze Trails Director

As the leaves turn to vibrant reds and oranges, and warm coats and big socks make a reappearance, there’s no better time of year to fill your flasks with hot chocolate and head out into the great outdoors with your little explorers. 

Autumn is the perfect time to teach your little ones about nature and explore the best that it has to offer. From filling pockets with shiny conkers, to jumping in giant puddles – you don’t need to travel far or spend a thing to have – what is in their eyes – a real adventure. 

Have an adventure from your front door

Whether you live in the middle of a city or out in the wilderness, autumn will show itself. And you’ll be amazed what you can discover from your own front door. 

Don’t be worried about getting wet or muddy – puddles and little people were made to be together. And at this time of year, you’ll find them in abundance. Let them run free and jump in ALL the puddles – it’ll burn off excess energy, get them laughing and keep them moving. We would heartily recommend you having a jump too!

Autumn brings with it rich pickings when it comes to animals and nature and there are lots of easy and fun activities you can do with your little ones, whatever their ages. From collecting fir cones and conkers, seeing who has left traces of nuts and acorns, to identifying leaves, mushrooms and berries and talking about where they come from and how they feed the animals – even the most energetic of little explorers will be transfixed.

There are some brilliant apps to help you identify plants and wildlife on the spot, as well as lots of creative ideas and downloads for activity packs online and on social media, which – if you’re planning ahead – are brilliant to take along with you.

Alternatively, you can just see where your adventure takes you and what you find! Fill your pockets with your spoils and bring nature home with you for an afternoon of drying off in front of the fire and make things with what you’ve found – like conker necklaces and leaf pictures. You knew your GCSE in Art would come in handy one day! 

And of course, don’t forget a warm flask for everyone and a treat to keep your energy levels high!

What to wear (you and them!)

Having the right kit as the months start to turn colder is a worthy investment to keep you all happy and keep you outside for longer – but it doesn’t mean breaking the bank.

There are some brilliant options out there that don’t cost the earth, and sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Outdoor Gear Exchange, Vinted and eBay are all great for picking up preloved bargains. We’d recommend sizing up on outdoor clothing wherever you can so that clothing lasts for more than one autumn/winter season.

Once your little one is no longer a baby, the same rules apply as they do with us when it comes to dressing for the weather, as they’re moving around independently and building up heat (or not if they’re lying face down on the ground refusing to move) which makes it much easier to know what you need to take along with you on a given day.

Here are our top recommendations on what to wear for your autumn outdoor adventures:

Waterproofs

Of all the things you buy, a decent pair of waterproofs will make a huge difference to your enjoyment of a walk and will keep you out for longer. Waterproofs with taped seams both for you and them will keep the water out.

For your little ones, a salopettes and jacket combination or a full suit will keep them warm and dry. If you’re layering up underneath, they don’t need to be super thick as long as they keep the water out.

There are some great brands who specifically make waterproofs for little people, such as Didriksons, Spotty Otter and Muddy Puddles that have all been tried and tested to the limit. It’s worth shopping around and doing your research before you buy. As children spend such little time in their clothes, it’s worth having a search for preloved items online too. 

Breathable base layers

For both of you, the right base layer can be a game changer and for children you can get some really affordable, good quality base layer options.

Something such as merino wool will keep you all warm but also wick away sweat when doing all of that charging about. You can pick up some brilliant merino base layer sets from newborn age on sites such as Decathlon and Sports Pursuit.

They are also lovely and comfy for when you’re back home in front of the fire with your coats gently steaming!

Fleece layer

A fleece layer will keep the warmth in and is particularly useful if you have a toddler who is currently on a coat-wearing boycott. 

A hardy pair of trousers

If it’s not a waterproof wearing day, a hardy pair of trousers that won’t soak in the mud will make a big difference, and there are lots of walking trouser options for toddlers on the market. Again, sites like Decathlon have really good, affordable options.

Many toddler walking trousers are adjustable on the inside and will grow with your little one to last longer. 

Thick socks

Need we say more!

Hats and buffs

The more layers the better, and a buff will make your little one feel like a real explorer too!

Adult buffs work just as well on little people as they do on us, so you don’t need to go out looking for something specific if you already have something lying around the house. All you need to do now is master the art of keeping a hat on a toddler!

Gloves

Let’s be honest, they’re most likely to stay in your bag, or be put on, then pulled off, then demanded to be put on again.

Now that your little one is asserting their independence, go for gloves rather than mittens so that they can pick things up and explore with their hands.

Magic gloves are great as they grow with your little one and will last you at least a year. 

Supportive footwear

Wellies are brilliant for wet weather days, but if you plan to be out walking for longer, or on uneven ground, consider a supportive pair of walking boots for your little one.

There are some great options out there. Size up from their current size and wear with thick socks. Look for something waterproof and breathable with good grip on the sole.

Suncream

Yes, really! We still get beautiful crisp autumn days when the sun is shining down on us. It may not feel warm, but we still need to protect those little rosy cheeks. 

Spare clothes

As any parent of a toddler will know, once the socks are wet it’s game over. Always bring spare clothes to keep everyone happy and outside for longer.

What to take with you 

As well as what you wear, taking the right things along with you will make for an enjoyable walk for everyone. Here are a few things that we find helpful:

• ALL of the snacks (see bribery below): It will never be the right snack. Bring them all and use them wisely

• Water and a hot drink: You don’t need special toddler-specific flasks, as they’ll love the novelty of using something for grown-ups or sharing with you

• Toddler carriers: If you know you’ll find yourself carrying an uncompromising toddler for part of your walk, it may be worth considering a lightweight toddler carrier that you can stuff inside of your rucksack just in case. There are some great options out there – from structured carriers to packable carriers that attach to your rucksack straps. Again, you can pick up some great second-hand bargains online

• A basic first aid kit (because toddlers have no fear): Just the basics like plasters, and antiseptic wipes are fine

• Travel change kit: For if your little one is still in nappies

Bribe and distract

Let’s be honest, toddlers are unreasonable little humans. They refuse coats in freezing conditions, they want an apple which you dutifully produce only for the world to end because it’s not a pear. The best tools you can have in your armour for a successful toddler walk are bribery and distraction.

Making jumps out of sticks, finding the deepest puddles, playing pooh sticks near rivers, or looking for the characters from the Gruffalo in woodlands, will all help to distract from threatened tantrums and keep you on the move.

With that in mind though, be open-minded and don’t set your sights too high! Don’t be disheartened if you’re out for an hour and have only made it half a mile from your front door, having spent the last half carrying a screaming toddler back upside down.

Toddler walks are great fun and you can have the loveliest time without venturing far, but the reality is that you won’t be getting anywhere fast. You may have to deal with the odd tantrum, you’ll have to take every stick home with you, and they may be more interested in a car parked at the side of a road than a beautiful forest. But that is what it is all about, they’re discovering and learning all of the time.

The most important thing is that you’re having time outside together. They may be experiencing things for the very first time, and you are seeing life through their eyes, and rediscovering the things you forget to stop and notice in your busy adult life. 

Embrace it all. And most importantly, just get outside and enjoy it together!

We’d love to hear about your autumn adventures and some of the things that have worked well for you. Let us know on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

How Blaze Trails gave me headspace

By Laura, Peak District Organiser

I’ve found the adjustment from one baby to two harder than I expected, for lots of reasons, but mostly because it’s hard! Blaze has been a real lifeline for my mental health. 

I have two days a week when my pre-schooler is in nursery and I just have baby. Since my baby was 6 weeks old, I’ve been organising or attending weekly Blaze walks and it’s a highlight of my week.

It’s a chance to get some fresh air, chat to other like-minded parents, get some exercise, and see more of where I live. It allows me to feel a bit more like me, as that can easily get lost. 

Blaze has allowed me to challenge myself and achieve things I’m proud of - like walking 7k carrying both my pre-schooler and my baby, or walking 17k carrying my baby. 

But the beauty of Blaze Trails is that your adventures can be as big or small as you like. You can contribute and take as much or as little as you want, to suit you. You can attend short buggy walks in a park once a month or you can organise a challenging, hilly hike.   

Sometimes people worry about coming along and doing something that is ‘for them’ rather than ‘for baby’. First of all, it’s important to do things for you and to help you carve out a bit of you time. But also, walking is such a wonderful thing to share with your baby from a young age. Babies love fresh air, being carried close and gently rocked. It’s win-win. 

As my maternity leave nears its end, memories of Blaze walks and the relationships I’ve made on those will stick out as some of the highlights…

• Like seeing ahead of me, mid-walk, a group of parents scattered over the hill feeding and tending to their babies

• Watching the sun rise from our local hill (if it hadn’t been so cloudy) with my baby and a group of like-minded parents

• Eating homemade birthday cake in the sun to celebrate one of our lovely organiser’s birthdays

• Seeing parents pass a baby over a stile as they climb over

I’ve met such lovely and interesting people through Blaze Trails. It’s so much easier to chat to people on a walk as that’s all you’re doing - talking and walking - compared to at a 30-minute baby class where you might get to talk to the person either side of you at the beginning and end. 

Because of Blaze, I have kids who’ve seen more of the Peak District than my husband, a pre-schooler who knew the word ‘trig point’ before he knew the word ‘lamppost’, and lovely friends who’ll carry their babies up hills for fun.

Parenting these two wonderful little humans is hard, but Blaze makes it a bit easier. 

Find your nearest Blaze Trails group here.