People urged to step into country

A NEW project has been launched to ‘Get Rochdale Walking’, while also taking advantage of the local green spaces.

Rochdale Dawah Centre, which was founded in 2003 and offers regular support and outreach services to people of all faiths across the borough, has announced its six-week ‘Get Rochdale Walking’ campaign.

Beginning in May, the project combines six walks of varying lengths around different beautiful scenery across the borough.

Locations for the walks include Hollingworth Lake, Greenbooth Reservoir and Blackstone Edge.

Mohammed, from the RDC, said: “The whole aim of it is to encourage people to take advantage of their local area because we’re lucky in Rochdale as we’ve got a lot of nice places to walk.

“Also the aim is to increase mental health and wellbeing and fitness especially now we’re coming out of Covid.

“We tried to have a variety of walks and distances - starting off with shorter walks.

“The places we chose have got pubs and parking access to make it easier for people.”

Mohammed added that the group is also planning a community cohesion walk later in the year, walking from one community centre in Rochdale to another.

The Dawah Centre has also produced a walking pack filled with information about walking, such as the best apps to download and suggestions for walks around the town.

“Anything related to walking locally is there,” said Mohammed.

“The walks are free to attend and we hope to give people confidence.

“We’re going to have a walk leader - someone experienced who knows the area.

“It’s open to everyone. Just turn up - you don’t have to register.”

The first walk around Cowm Reservoir is on May 8 and more info on the walks is available here: https://cutt. ly/6weekswalks The walking pack can be found here: https://cutt.ly/ Getrochdalewalkingpack