Direct’s Post

Our wonderful cosy therapeutic caravan reduced from £50 a night from now until mid December. A holiday with a purpose! (An idea that stemmed from reading a tragic story of loss recently and suffering a close loss myself) How often do we wish we could have a break somewhere therapeutic but the funds won't allow it. It's possible that some of us may need a break more than others, those that are not coping well, those that may have suffered the loss of a loved one recently. Would you be willing to pay for a holiday for yourself if you knew some the funds you paid would cover a percentage of those funds to support someone in need of a break. ? How about if that break included (or wanted and appropriate), short countryside courses of a food and farming nature, like greenwoodworking, cheesemaking or charcuterie doing something out of the ordinary, to give a new perspective for the person/persons/families. A therapeutic break with meaning and purpose, is what Farm-ABLE CIC and Demelzas Retreat is about, the chance to combine learning with a real change and the chance to find some peace and tranquility for healing. https://lnkd.in/eDe6PgBq

What a treat to hear from National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman CBE for our 100th episode! 🙌 Chris was as candid and clear as ever - here are a few highlights from his session with us - including a startling piece of new data highlighting why standards such as LTN1/20 are so important. Chris shared:- - How the new Government’s new Mission-based approach could be the turning point for Active Travel, putting it at the heart of the Gov’s new Integrated Transport Strategy, which his colleague and Danny Williams has just been asked to lead - How seeing Active Travel through the lens of health is essential - (‘without health there is no growth’) - which may mean focusing resources where walking and cycling interventions can enable those who are currently inactive to be active - Why this might mean ensuring more activation/ behavior change schemes, alongside the ‘tarmac’ schemes, in those areas - That this new Mission-based approach also includes reviewing the formula for how all transport schemes are assessed - to hopefully get away from the ‘mythical metric’ of ‘minutes of car journey time saved’ resulting in prioritising roads - and instead moving to metrics such as health outcomes which will favour of active travel schemes due to their positive health impacts - Why greater devolution is an opportunity but also a threat unless standards are adopted - that Active Travel England have data from a study of 100+ schemes that shows that ‘old fashioned schemes’ (ie ones comprising of just paint) will ‘kill 10% more people than doing nothing and get no uptake in cycling rates’ whereas LTN1/20 schemes will get ‘between 20-60% more uptake and halve the number of deaths’ - ‘that’s pretty powerful stuff’ - How he learnt in his role Greater Manchester how important it was to understand councils capability, not just their ambition - and how this paved the way for the Capability Rankings in use by Active Travel England today to help councils understand ability to deliver - His plea for the absolutely vital role of winning hearts and minds - both in the general public and among local politicians - and how this was built not on citing data but talking about the things that matter to people - eg their children’s freedom, walking to the shops safely. - That Pavement Parking was ‘not in his gift’ but that ‘having sat on a minster’s desk for four years it is now at last being considered carefully and properly’ All that and much more!! You can listen for yourself - as the recording will be up soon on our website at activetravelcafe.org.uk, where you can also sign up for future sessions.

Final SHOUT OUT for this coming Saturday's Social Hiking Group excursions - YES, there are two! 10 am - Fan Fawr and CCG - a hike offering great views of the Central Brecon Beacons and all without hardly seeing another soul! 3 pm - Pen y Fan Sunset - no sunset guaranteed but a fun hike is :) Check out our events here or visit them at our Facebook page - https://lnkd.in/e4HM836c And a little bit of politics that I might be writing about in the near future... We, the people, do not need government interventions. The hiking group is not for profit. I take no income from the delivery of these monthly meetups. I deliver the social hikes out of a sense of service and community. Governments like to fund their friends to do similar. This is a waste of taxpayers' money and overreach on behalf of virtue-signalling politicians. Where there is a gap, the gap will be filled by well-meaning citizens. And governments fund without impact assessments. This does not affect the Wales Outdoors social hiking group, but it has affected another business I run, again community-based and not-for-profit. I'll think on this further and a blog post is brewing :)

Living with roommates can be a rewarding experience, but it requires clear communication and mutual respect to ensure harmony. Whether you’ve been living with a roommate for months, or are about to move in with a roommate for the first time, here are some tips to ensure your living experience is peaceful and enjoyable for all parties. #RoommateTips #TorontoLiving #SignetBlog

I once was uninvited to my own event. I am sure no one is shocked, but even at 19, I was the event planner of my friend group. Obsessively creating opportunities for us all to go places in pack of 20+. (I now know I was community building even then.) But to many, I was that annoying girl who let everyone know where we were camping for the year. 🤦♀️ dealt with bookings 🤦♀️ organized boats 🤦♀️ handled food for 20+ PEOPLE for 3 days And so one year, a friend decided to organize a second trip that summer - but not invite me. Man that sucked. I had alot of people in response go “well you are ALOT with your messages, reminders, organizing.” A few of my “friends” basically pointed to me and said “this is too much.” And for them, it was. Sometimes when we put our hearts, our souls, our abilities out there people will look at it and go “not for me.” And what a blessing that is they are giving you. That moment allowed me to healthily shed some really toxic relationships from my teens I was clinging to. And to narrow in on the people who looked at my hyper focused community building/connecting events heart and go “yep, she’s my people.” What is your “too much” that helps you weed out people who arent for you?? (Side note, the extra camping event epically failed. Because turns out organizing a boat in camp site is ALOT of work….) #toomuch #authenticity #community #communitybuilding #connection

Ever wondered how credit card fees could impact your beloved camping site? Discover how campground owners are gearing up for a crucial meeting in D.C., where they'll voice their concerns directly to U.S. Senators. Dive into the heart of this important advocacy effort and see which small business owners are stepping up to protect their industry. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gtnCvxUU

The Twin Cities come alive on Memorial Day Weekend! Looking for ways to celebrate with your family that are both healthy and engaging? Look no further! Here are 6 ideas to get you started: 1️⃣ 🚵♂️ Bike the Chain of Lakes: Soak up the sunshine and scenery with a family bike ride along the beautiful Chain of Lakes. This paved trail offers stunning views and plenty of places to stop for a picnic or ice cream. 2️⃣ 👩🌾🌾 Visit a Farmers Market: Immerse yourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of a local farmers market. Sample fresh produce, support local vendors, and find unique picnic ingredients. Kids will love the sights, sounds, and maybe even a taste test! 3️⃣ 🛶 Paddle on the Mississippi: Rent kayaks or canoes and explore the mighty Mississippi River. This is a great way to get some exercise, enjoy nature, and learn about the history of the Twin Cities. 4️⃣ 🎶 Catch a Free Outdoor Concert: Celebrate the start of summer with a free outdoor concert! Several parks and venues host live music throughout Memorial Day Weekend. Pack a blanket, grab some snacks, and enjoy a family-friendly evening under the stars. 5️⃣ 🤝 Volunteer Together: Give back to the community and honor the spirit of Memorial Day by volunteering as a family. Many organizations host service projects throughout the weekend. It's a great way to teach kids about the importance of helping others. 🎖 Honor Our Veterans ✈ 6️⃣ Visit Fort Snelling: Immerse yourselves in military history with a visit to Fort Snelling. Explore the fort, learn about its role in American history, and pay your respects at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery. These are just a few ideas to get you started. With a little planning, you can have a fun-filled and healthy Memorial Day Weekend with your family in the beautiful Twin Cities! #MemorialDayWeekend #TwinCities  These are just a few ideas to get you started. With a little planning, you can have a fun-filled and healthy Memorial Day Weekend with your family in the beautiful Twin Cities! #MemorialDayWeekend #TwinCities #FamilyFun #HealthyActivities What are your favorite ways to spend Memorial Day Weekend with your family? Share your ideas in the comments!

🌿 Stay Safe, Stay Hydrated: The Importance of Water Filtration When Camping and Hiking 🏕️ Whether you're embarking on a challenging hike or setting up camp under the stars, clean water is your ultimate adventure companion. 💧 But when it comes to outdoor hydration, looks can be deceiving—contaminated water sources can hide dangerous pathogens that threaten your health. That's where Uzima water filters come in, safeguarding your well-being and allowing you to fully embrace the joys of the great outdoors. Don't let hidden dangers dampen your outdoor adventures. With Uzima water filters, you can explore with confidence, knowing your hydration is in safe hands. Stay informed about water quality in your area and make every outdoor moment memorable—for all the right reasons. 🏞️🐾 https://lnkd.in/e2nqqXsX #NonProfits #CleanWaterForAll #GlobalWaterCrisis #SustainableLiving

The festive season is upon us! Before diving into holiday shopping, set a budget that covers gifts, food, and activities. Planning early helps prevent unexpected expenses from creeping in. This holiday season, you might be planning to tighten your belts and spend a bit less on festivities - and you are not alone. Discover more budgeting tips for a stress-free Christmas with Mitchell's 12 Saves of Christmas. https://lnkd.in/g5WN2nsq