Hello, and welcome to this month's Enjoy newsletter. We're focusing on all things walking for National Walking Month - which also included Mental Health Awareness Week.
As part of this, we spoke to Jon Salmon, who, along with his friend Simon, runs monthly Wellbeing Walks from Fellowship Square.
"When I was younger, I went through a period of really poor mental health. I had some great help from family, friends and doctors, but getting out for short walks also really helped my recovery.
After a knee injury stopped me running, my friend Simon suggested we started walking instead. Since June last year, as part of Waltham Forest Living Streets, we have been meeting up by the fountains in Fellowship Square on the last Monday of the month, waiting to see who might turn up for a circular walk to Lloyd Park and back. Some months we have had one person join us, and others over 10. Every single walk has helped me, and I know those that have joined us have benefited from connecting with others and getting outside.
So, whatever you decide to do in the month of May, I hope you can find a bit of time for yourself and find moments for movement in your daily routine.
Anyone is welcome to join in the Wellbeing Walks - just turn up at 1pm. The next one will be on Monday 27 May, and we'd love to see you there."
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Alongside the Wellbeing Walks, we have a range of other guided group walks taking place in Waltham Forest.
Salaam Peace
Salaam Peace is an organisation dedicated to helping people through sport and activity. They are currently leading walks every week during term time, on Fridays at 10am - 11.30am, meeting at St James Street station. Get in touch with contact@salaampeace.org to sign up or enquire about further details.
Mental Health Mates - Highams Park
Mental Health Mates is a national organisation, with over 150 walks taking place across the UK, encouraging people to get active and meet new people without fear of judgment.
In Waltham Forest, Steve leads Mental Health Mates walks on weekends in Highams Park. For more information, check out their Facebook page, where walk details are posted regularly.
Lbs 4 Peace
Starting on 1 June, Lbs 4 Peace will be hosting 'Steps & Checks' walks for women in and around Leyton Jubilee Park, helping to promote wellness and recreation in a supportive and inclusive environment.
The walks are all free, and you can find out more and sign up here. There will also be specific mother and baby walks taking place in Higham Hill Park.
You can also join the Lbs 4 Peace virtual community on the Pacer fitness app (free to download), where you'll find fellow walking enthusiasts, fun step challenges and peer-to-peer support.
The London Strollers
The Strollers lead group walks of around 2 to 7 miles in the Greater London area, held at a leisurely pace. We don't like to rush so our walks are at a leisurely pace and between 2 to 7 miles. Their walks are great for anyone who wants to explore London and the surrounding countryside. Find out more.
Feel Good Walks
Run by the Ramblers, Feel Good Walks take place across Waltham Forest every week and are accessible to all, including at least one short walk a week. Check out their website for more information and a list of their upcoming walks.
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Did you know that there's a new long-distance walk starting from Walthamstow?
The Green Link is a signposted 15-mile walk that connects up green spaces, waterways and quiet streets throughout East London. You can use the free Go Jauntly app to help you navigate, and sights along the way include the Tate Modern, St Paul's Cathedral, and this fetching mosaic wall paying tribute to 'The Hounds of Hackney Downs'.
The Go Jauntly app is also a great resource for discovering and navigating other walking routes in your area.
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 Tate Modern, St Paul's Cathedral...and 'The Hounds of Hackney Downs'
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This month, a new community parklet in Waltham Forest has been installed and is now open and ready to use for summer.
Parklets can help to make our streets greener and more pleasant when travelling around on foot. This parklet creates more space for greenery in the road, includes parking space for a cargo cycle, and was opened with neighbours and children adding plants and flowers to the beds.
If you're interested in creating a community parklet on the space in front of your property, check out our page below for more information on the application process.
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Dee Tocqueville has been working as a School Crossing Patrol Officer in Waltham Forest for an incredible 50 years.
This summer, she'll be hanging up her lollipop for good and starting her well-earned retirement.
Dee says: "I've been working in the borough, and mostly here on this crossing, for 50 years now. When I retire I shall miss the children immensely. I love them all - I see some children crossing the road now where years ago I used to take their parents and grandparents across the road."
Dee's dedication to her role will be celebrated with a special school assembly before her last day at work. We couldn't be more grateful for her decades of work to keep families safe.
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And finally, some cycling news: the final May bank holiday weekend will see Ford RideLondon events taking place across London and Essex.
On Sunday 26 May, the FreeCycle event takes place in central London, allowing you to cycle on traffic-free roads around a seven mile circuit. There will be a led ride taking place from Walthamstow Town Square to join in the FreeCycle circuit - it's free to join in and you can register on the link below (the option to join the led ride from Walthamstow will come up during the registration process).
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Please encourage friends and family to sign up so they too can stay connected with what's happening in our borough.
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