New Wellbeing Walks Linking Rail, Nature and Mental Health

A new wellbeing initiative will see University of Worcester students leading guided walks designed to improve mental wellbeing, reduce loneliness, and encourage sustainable travel.

The Wellbeing Rail Trail Walks project is being delivered by the Worcester Community Rail Partnership (WCRP) in partnership with the University and funded by train operators Great Western Railway (GWR) and CrossCountry (XC). As part of the project, students are trained as Wellbeing Walk Leaders, providing them with paid, real-world experience while supporting fellow students and members of the broader community.

The guided walks use WCRP’s Rail Trails – walking routes developed by Lyndon Bracewell, from Worcester Ramblers, and University of Worcester lecturer Andy Stevenson, that start and finish at local railway stations – demonstrating how rail travel can act as a gateway to green spaces, physical activity, and improved wellbeing.

The programme launches with a series of walks during the University’s annual Go Green Week, taking place from February 8-13, and then continues weekly until April 2026.

As part of the project, student Walk Leaders receive training in safeguarding, mental and physical first aid, lone working, and group facilitation. The role supports the development of key employability skills, including leadership, communication, confidence, and health promotion – directly linking academic learning with real-world impact.

The walks are open to students and the wider community and aim to:

• Promote physical and mental well-being through gentle activity and time in nature
• Reduce isolation and increase social connections between students
• Encourage sustainable, low-carbon travel
• Reimagine local railway stations as welcoming community destinations, exploring the Worcestershire countryside and increasing travel confidence.

The project will also capture data and feedback on wellbeing outcomes, rail use, and student skills development to inform future community rail and university wellbeing initiatives.

Tom Painter, Chair of Worcester Community Rail Partnership, said: “This project shows how rail can support more than just transport – it can play a real role in improving wellbeing, tackling isolation, and supporting future health professionals. We’re delighted to be working with the University of Worcester and our train operator partners to make this happen.”

Katy Boom, Director of Sustainability at the University, said: “The Wellbeing Walks are all about supporting mental health, building confidence and encouraging more sustainable ways of moving through our local communities. We are really pleased that the project also gives our students the opportunity to gain paid experience that complements their studies while delivering genuine social and environmental impact.”

For more information about Rail Trails, visit www.wcrp.org.uk/rail-trails