Hello and welcome to the Walking, Cycling and Outdoor Festival page. The festival has been running for a long time now and with it not taking place last year due to COVID-19 guidelines and the safety of participants and volunteers, we wanted to make sure something was on offer this year.

In order to make the festival as safe as possible for everyone involved and in line with government guidance, it will look slightly different compared to previous years. We have decided to postpone face to face activities until October 2021 – dates below. We are however going to be putting on some virtual activities and challenges you can take part in during the usual festival weeks in May and June, which will involve walking, cycling and other outdoor activities. There are a variety of ways you can get involved, the beauty is that you can take part when suits you and pick and choose what you'd like to get involved in.

We will be uploading different activities regularly throughout the 2 week virtual festival on this page for you to try. These will also remain on our website for future use. We will be offering a range of family fun activities, sharing local walking and cycling routes and outdoor spaces, local club activities, workplace wellbeing and much more.

If you have your own walking and cycling routes or would like to tell us about any other activities that are taking place, please get in touch with us on activerutland@rutland.gov.uk so that we can share these with others to try out.

If you'd like to be added to our mailing list to be updated about the event later on this year or for future years please contact us on activerutland@rutland.gov.uk.

Activities will be added here regularly throughout the 2 week festival, keep checking back to try out something new.

Activity 1 - Percy's Path Walk: Did you know that 1 in 4 experience a mental health problem each year? Taking some time out and looking after our mental health is important and physical activity can be a great way to do this. Getting outdoors and visiting new places is a perfect opportunity to get some fresh air and relax. Take a break and try out this local 3 mile walk called Percy's Path.

Activity 3 - Local Cycling Trails:

https://anglianwaterparks.co.uk/rutland-water-park/cycling

https://www.discover-rutland.co.uk/listing/oakham-cycling-routes/

Activity 4 - Local Walking Trails: We all know what a lifeline walking has been during the past year, helping people stay active and connected. Take a break out for yourself today and try one of our local walking trails.

Activity 5 - Family Fun Activities: Fun for all the family – lots of resources, ideas and challenges for you and your family to do together. Lots of new things to try for all ages and abilities.

Activity 6 - 30 Days Wild: The Wildlife Trust are running a 30 Days Wild nature challenge. Their challenge is to do 1 wild thing a day throughout June. Sign up for lots of simple, fun and exciting activities and ideas to inspire you and see how many activities you can get involved in: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/30-days-wild-2021-sign-your-pack

Activity 7 - Workplace Wellbeing: Use your lunchtime to do something active and get some movement into your working day. Use the time to step away for yourself, recharge for the afternoon and get some fresh air. Here are some ideas to try:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/get-active-your-way/

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/active10/home/

Activity 8 - Bike Week: It's Cycling UK's Bike Week 30 May – 5 June, hop on your bike and explore the great outdoors this half term. Cycling is good fun and a great way to keep fit and healthy. Don't forget we are running a cycling competition during the Walking Cycling and Outdoor Festival. Competition details and local cycle trails to try out can be found above.

More information and resources to support with cycling can be found on the Change4life website: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/activities/sports-and-activities/cycling

Activity 9 - Local Walking Trails: Did you know that 1 in 4 experience a mental health problem each year? Taking some time out and looking after your mental health is important and physical activity can be a great way to do this. Getting outdoors and visiting new places is a perfect opportunity to get some fresh air and relax. Take a break with some of our local walks below (there are others listed in activity 4). If you have any routes you do locally that we can share with others, please get in touch on activerutland@rutland.gov.uk.

If you need help with your mental health, the NHS offer expert advice and practical tips to support you in looking after your mental health and wellbeing. Further details can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/

Activity 10 - Outdoor Spaces: There are plenty of outdoor spaces to be active where you feel safe. Check out the great parks, playgrounds and outdoor spaces we have on our doorstep:

• https://ris.rutland.gov.uk/kb5/rutland/directory/home.page
• https://www.lrsport.org/directory?query=&type=park&sport=&radius=50&postcode=LE1+4AN

Activity 11 - Family Friendly Games: Children and young people should aim for 60 minutes of activity each day. Change4life have lots of family friendly games and ideas to try including Disney inspired 10 minute shake up activities. Find out more: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/activities

Activity 12 - Photos: Tag or send us your selfies while out and about exercising and share how you have been active together. Need some inspiration? There are lots of ideas on this page to try during our Walking Cycling and Outdoor Festival.

Activity 13 - Club Activities: See what our local clubs are offering as they return to play during our Walking Cycling and Outdoor Festival. Check out what's on offer:

• https://ris.rutland.gov.uk/kb5/rutland/directory/home.page
• https://www.lrsport.org/active-together

Activity 14 - Running Plans, Tips and Groups: There are many reasons why you might want to run. Whatever stage you're at on your running journey, here are some tips on how to get started and stay motivated. Get active in a way that you enjoy!

• NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/running-tips-for-beginners/
• Bupa: https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/running
• Rutland Water Junior Parkrun: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/rutlandwater-juniors/
• Rutland Water Parkrun: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/rutlandwater/
• Rutland Running and Triathlon Club: http://www.rutlandrunandtri.co.uk/
• Ketton Panthers Triathlon Club: http://ketton-panthers.weebly.com/

Activity 15 - Accessing Green Spaces Safely: The government have provided advice on accessing green spaces safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit their website for tips on protecting yourself and others: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-on-accessing-green-spaces-safely

Activity 16 - Walking and Cycling Groups: Come and join like-minded people, take in the fresh air and learn some great routes on your doorstep. Click the link below to find out more about our local walking and cycling groups.

Activity 17 - We Are Undefeatable: When you're managing a long term health condition, being active is about finding what works for you. Each day listen to your body and do what feels comfortable. Click for ideas and resources to help start your journey to being active: https://weareundefeatable.co.uk/getting-started

Activity 18 - This Girl Can: This Girl Can celebrates active women who are doing their thing no matter how they do it, how they look or even how sweaty they get. Women come in all shapes and sizes with all abilities and from all backgrounds. Every woman is different, so try a few activities until you find the right one for you which you enjoy. If you're not sure, we're here to help you to figure out the way of getting active that's right for you, contact us on activerutland@rutland.gov.uk.

Activity 19 - Walking Ideas: Walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. It is low impact, requires minimal equipment, can be done at any time of day and at your own pace. See below for walking tips, to try out some local walking trails near you or find out more about local walking groups:

• https://www.theactivemag.com/walks.aspx
• https://theoutdoorguide.co.uk/walks/walks-by-location/rutland-walks/
• https://www.ryhallparishcouncil.co.uk/local-facilities/ryhall-walks/
• https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/fundraise/just-walk/walking-ideas
• https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/workplaces/try20-tips
• https://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder

Activity 20 - Competition: It's the final day of the Walking Cycling and Outdoor Festival. All activities from across the 2 week festival will remain on our website to try out at any time. Don't forget to send us your photos or let us know how you got involved. Deadline for competition entries 16^th June, winner announced 17^th June - further details listed in activity 2.

Activity 21 - Save The Date: Save the date for the Walking Cycling and Outdoor Festival including face to face activities and the Rutland Round: 9^th – 24^th October 2021. Contact us on activerutland@rutland.gov.uk if you'd like to be added to our mailing list for further updates or check back on this page on our website.