Treherbert project wins ‘Heart of Community’ Award

Treherbert Community and The Welcome to Our Woods team wins award for their dedication to improving access and improving paths and access locally. 

At the recent Ramblers Cymru Awards in Creigiau on the outskirts of Cardiff, nominated groups and individuals were rewarded for their dedication to walking and access. 

The Heart of the Community Award, celebrates the Ramblers Cymru Paths to Wellbeing community that’s made the biggest difference, be that through path maintenance, improving their local environment, or bringing the community together.   

Wales boasts world-famous opportunities to walk in nature, from Eryri to the Brecon Beacons. But one of the Paths to Wellbeing project’s main goals is to make walking accessible locally to everyone, everywhere.  

Angela Charlton, Director of Ramblers Cymru said:

“We want to see walking and paths at the heart of our communities. The health and wellbeing benefits of good access to green spaces are key to our post covid green recovery and to creating, happier and healthier connected communities that can thrive across Wales. 

“These passionate volunteers are doing just that by striving to make their valley not only a wonderful place to live, but a destination for walkers to visit. They were keen to invest in local people even before becoming a Paths to Wellbeing community, hosting woodland therapy and skills sessions. And it’s safe to say they’ve taken their enthusiasm to a new level through the project. “ 

Martyn Broughton Welcome to Our Woods Activity Manager said:

“Working with Ramblers Cymru has been great, it’s given some much welcome credibility to our work.  

“Winning the award has been a real boost and helped give recognition to all our volunteers who have been doing a great job to enhance the local paths and access.” 

Together, this community runs several local guided walks in the area as part of the project, which include 3 weekly walking groups for 3 different levels of ability. They have also joined forces with the South Wales Fire and Rescue and Natural Resources Wales as part of the Healthy Hillside project, to create paths that prevent wildfires.  

They have also been involved with invasive species sessions in partnership with their local council and Wildlife Trust.  

These events are making local natural resources more useful and relevant to their community and have inspired many others to work together and get involved too.