Throughout the year, and especially during winter, we are inviting parishes and community groups to organise a wellbeing walk – with walkers making a small donation to St Luke’s for Clergy Wellbeing.
It could be a stroll through the parks of an urban town or an amble through the countryside. Wherever your parish lies, there will be a walk, it’s up to you how far and how structured the walk is. Below you will find tips and ideas to help you create an enjoyable walk for all.
Last year, St Luke’s trialed two walks 
at St Mary’s Church Old Town, Eastbourne and Holy Trinity Church, Weston. Both walks had a slightly different activity on the day but gentle walks and easy chat seemed to be a theme! The walks encouraged people to come along, grab a map and a coffee and head out into our beautiful outdoors. The walks were self guided using a map and walkers were encouraged to make a donation to St Luke’s for Clergy Wellbeing.
On this page you will find lots of ideas and resources to help plan YOUR walk. You could give the walk a more spiritual theme, walking on the solstice days or Saint’s day (We think St Luke’s feast day on 18th October would be a great day but then we would think that!). Maybe add a little quiet time to bring a sense of pilgrimage.
We would love to hear about what you are planning and how we can help you, such as poster ideas – downloadable and print at home and templates for your parish newsletter.
We’ve highlighted apps available to download to make the walk interesting, especially for children.
We have also received a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to help with refreshments and resources for your walk. Let us know if we can help you with posters, refreshment vouchers or promotion.
Click on the titles below to find interesting Apps to add extra fun to your walk!
Brush up on your Flora and Fauna with Google lens
Google lens: https://lens.google/
You can access Google lens from the Google search bar on your phone or you can download the app from the Apple AppStore or Google Play.
Using your smart phone with Google lens app, point your camera at the flower, leaf, insect or other… The app uses a reverse image search to try and identify it for you.
Name that (Bird) tune with Merlin ID
Merlin ID app: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/
You can download the Merlin Bird ID app from the Apple AppStore or Google Play. Open the app and record the bird song. It will then identify the bird through its song or call.
X marks the spot! Join the worlds biggest treasure hunt with GeoCaching
Geocache: https://www.geocaching.com/play
Register on the geocache website to find lots of hidden boxes in your locality. Inside the box you should find a pen and paper whereby you log your name and the date. Then you pop the box back into it’s hiding place for other treasure hunters.
Visit Geocaching for more information.
Walking after midnight...
… or when the night sky appears.
Did you know there were benefits to walking at night? Our senses become more alert helping us to be in the moment. You can find out more about night walking here: https://www.adventuresforthesoul.co.uk/benefits-of-a-night-walk
To bring a little star gazing in you don’t have to go to a ‘dark-sky’ site. The walk could take in a school playing field or local park. Find out more about star gazing for beginners here: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/stargazing-top-tips
You could draw the evening out further finishing with a warm drink and a film showing. You need permission if you want to show films or TV shows in public. You can find out more details here https://www.gov.uk/showing-films-in-public Alternatively you could find out more about showing films in rural settings here https://www.moviola.org/films/ .
A reminder we can help you with refreshments and resources for your walk with the funds received from the National Lottery Community Fund.
We passionately believe in wellbeing for all. These walks encourage communities to create new memories and new friendships.
And by making a small donation to St Luke’s for Clergy Wellbeing, walkers are also supporting the wellbeing of clergy – often the unsung hero of the community.
For more information contact Enquiries@stlukesforclergy.org.uk