Press Release
YHA's popular Festival of Walking returns in September
YHA's popularFestival of Walkingreturns for the third year this September (13 September - 13 October).
Organised annually by the youth hostelling charityYHA (England & Wales), the festival aims to get more people walking, particularly those new or facing barriers to the outdoors.
As part of the national festival, which is funded bySport England, Pilgrim Trust and Cotswold Outdoor,there are a series offree guided social walksled by walking experts at youth hostels throughout England and Wales.
Fifty-two YHA hostels are hosting a series of themed walks during the month-long festival. The themed walks focus on health and wellbeing, learning new walking skills, and connecting with nature and heritage.
There are also more than150free-to-download circular walking routes, includingaccessible routessuitable for motorised wheelchairs.
Seasoned walker Andrew McCloy, YHA's Walks Programme Manager who is leading the Festival of Walking, explained: "YHA has long been recognised as the walker's friend, but we're keen to get even more people walking, and to benefit from the mental and physical health benefits of this no-cost activity. We know that there are a number of barriers to participation, and we're using this festival to overcome those blocks to get more people walking."
A2024 study by an outdoor brand* revealed that almost 3 in 10 Brits haven't participated in any outdoor activities, including hiking, in the past year. Of those people, 45% didn't know where to go, 33% weren't sure what equipment they might need, and 53% stated that they have faced financial barriers to participation.
Andrew added: "A number of the festival's free guided social walks, as well as the easy circular walking routes, we've devised, require no specialist equipment, just a pair of comfortable shoes, a bottle of water and a possibly a jacket with a hood for the British weather. We just want to get more people walking and active."
YHA has devised a walking route to suit everyone,from beginners to the most seasoned walkers,individuals, families or friendship groups. A number of the guided social walks are targeted at novices and designed to help them feel more confident about their abilities, including hill skills walks aimed at boosting their walking know-how.
The social walks are being delivered by a range of partners, including BMC, the Ramblers, Canal and River Trust, British Nordic Walking, National Trust and Access the Dales which is leading anaccessible social walk from YHA Malhamon 10 October, which is suitable for wheelchair users.
Whether it's discovering your local area, trying walking for the first time or learning new skills, including Nordic walking and map reading and navigation, there are more than40free social walks to participate in during the festival.
"As with previous years, we anticipate high demand for the guided social walks particularly those offering the opportunity to learn new skills, so I advise people to sign up early," added Andrew.
As an added incentive, there's a complimentary cuppa and a piece of cake waiting for everyone back at the hostel when each social walk finishes. All youth hostels also offer free-to-use Refill stations where anyone is welcome to pop in year-round and fill their water bottles, have a loo break or use the café facilities.
Walkers who want to enjoy a walking mini break during the festival can also take advantage of a 20% discount on overnight stays at more than 50 participating youth hostels throughout England and Wales.
To find out more about the YHA Festival of Walking, download walking routes, register for a social walk, book discounted accommodation or to get involved, visitww.yha.org.uk/festival-of-walking.
Ends.
*Helly Hanson
About YHA (England & Wales)
YHA (England & Wales) is a leading youth charity with a 93-year history of making travel and adventure accessible to all, especially young people. Operating more than100 locationsthroughout England and Wales, YHA offers a range of unique, affordable accommodation including youth hostels, camping and cabins in rural, coastal and city locations.
Through its social enterprise model, revenue from YHA's hostel accommodation is directed towards its social purpose.
Established in 1930, YHA's charitable objective remains as relevant in 2023 as it was in 1930 - ‘To help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, and appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities, particularly by providing youth hostels or other simple accommodation for them in their travels, and thus to promote their health, recreation and education.'
YHA's charitable purpose is at the forefront of its 10-year strategy- Adventure. For the first time and a lifetime. Our 10-year strategy for connecting people and places.Access for All is at the heart of the strategy which will see YHA reaching more people and growing its impact, with a particular focus on those who could benefit the most. It will also establish YHA as a leading national charity and social enterprise. The strategy can be viewed and downloaded atyha.org.uk/about-yha/yha-strategy-2020
Through YHA's places, programmes and activities, it creates opportunities for everybody to connect to nature, the outdoors, culture and heritage. Welcoming solo travellers, families, groups and schools to its amazing properties in exceptional locations, YHA delivers memorable, meaningful experiences that have a measurable impact.YHA's impact is documented annually. The most recent annual report can be downloaded herehttps://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/impact
YHA is leading the 16-strong Access Unlimited coalition which includes the 10 National Parks, Girlguiding, Scouts, Field Studies Council, The Outward Bound Trust and National Landscapes. Together, the not-for-profit organisations took collective action and delivered the innovative 16-month Defra-fundedGeneration Green[https://www.yha.org.uk/generationgreen] project. The project connected more than 115,000 young people to nature, created and saved jobs, and built an aspirant workforce for a green recovery.
The COVID-19 pandemic hit YHA hard. The charity lost over 80% of income in 2020/21. YHA documented its response to Covid in a 64-page publication -COVID Stories. Told from the perspective of YHA's senior leadership team, hostel managers, volunteers and partners, COVID Stories covers the period March 2020 to February 2021 and documents the charity's survival and the role YHA played role through its partnerships to support society in the crisis as well as helping rebuild it post pandemic. Download a copy herehttps://livemore.yha.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/covid-stories.pdf
Many of YHA's sites are in stunning heritage properties: including a medieval castle (YHA St Briavels Castle); an Elizabethan manor house (YHA Wilderhope Manor); a Victorian mock gothic mansion (YHA Castleton Losehill Hall) and a medieval friary (YHA Beverley Friary).
YHA prides itself on providing affordable, contemporary accommodation and a life-enriching, social experience which differs from a hotel stay.
Through access to travel, heritage, culture, outdoors and nature, YHA aims to improve outcomes related to health, wellbeing and life chances for young people and families, particularly those with challenging lives.
YHA is a leading provider of residential school trips, withmoreLearning Outside the Classroom (LOtC)accredited sites — more than any other provider. Committed to quality outdoor education, YHA champions the national #BrilliantResidentials campaign.
To see the difference that YHA makes to the lives of young people and their families, visit YHA'sYouTubechannel.
Further information about YHA can be found atyha.org.uk
Follow YHA onFacebook,Instagram,LinkedIn, andTwitter.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Anna Melton
In the Works PR
07837 108559 / 01246 386480