Walking Club Visits Vicar Water Country Park 🌿

Three people standing together, smiling, in front of the Vicar Water Country Park sign. The woman in the center wears a black puffer jacket, while the other woman is in a purple coat, and the man is in a black jacket and grey beanie. The background shows the park’s green landscape.

We recently enjoyed a lovely walk around Vicar Water Country Park, covering about two and a half miles. The weather was cool but pleasant, perfect for exploring. Instead of sticking to a set route, we ventured onto different trails, taking in the beautiful scenery.

As always, we finished our walk at Rumbles Café, where the staff gave us a warm welcome. Some of the group indulged in delicious jacket potatoes and toasties, while the chunky chips were an absolute treat – definitely a must-try! 🍟

We left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and grateful for another wonderful walk with great company. Looking forward to more adventures with friends! 🚶‍♀️🌤️

A Busy Day at Gardening Club 🌱

Two men at the allotment, standing in a garden bed. Both are wearing winter jackets and beanies, holding gardening tools. They are working on weeding and preparing the ground, with polytunnels and greenery visible in the background.

Recently at Gardening Club, the real work has begun as we prepare the ground for next year! The group has been hard at work digging, weeding, and tidying up the space. As they say, “many hands make light work,” and we’re thrilled to have welcomed two new members into our garden club family! With a bigger group comes more knowledge, and we’re lucky to have an experienced gardener and landscaper joining us to help with the tasks ahead!! 🌿👩‍🌾👨‍🌾

After a productive day, we enjoyed a well-deserved break at Enablement Care with a delicious BBQ chicken and apple strudel meal. 🍗🍏 It was a true treat, and the perfect way to relax and enjoy good food and great company after all our hard work.

Looking forward to the next gardening session and more tasty meals together! 🌻

Employability Course at the Community Hub

Our employability course started brilliantly 🌟 We started by completing the necessary paperwork, ensuring everyone progressed toward their personal goals and development. Once the paperwork was completed, we shifted to a fun and creative activity—making fab craft flowers. 🌸✂️

A group of six women sitting around a circular table, smiling as they fill out paperwork. Some of them are also making craft paper flowers. The atmosphere appears friendly and collaborative, with various materials on the table, including pens and paper. The setting has bright walls and tiled flooring, contributing to a welcoming environment.


A collection of vibrant origami paper flowers made at the community hub, displayed in a small vase. The flowers are crafted from various patterned papers, including stripes, hearts, and polka dots, in colors like red, purple, blue, and green. They are arranged neatly on a white surface, with a soft shadow cast by the sunlight.

Belper Walk with Walking Club

A man in a burgundy jacket and purple polo shirt standing next to a large, smiling potato statue wearing a cowboy hat, outside a James Pringle store.

On our most recent walking club adventure, we set out to explore the nearby town of Belper. Known for its rich industrial heritage and picturesque surroundings, Belper always makes for a fab’ destination. The walk took us through the heart of the town, with plenty of time to admire its historic mill buildings and gorgeous landscapes. Along the way, we stumbled upon a fun and quirky stop – a larger-than-life statue of the one and only Mr Potato Head!! It made for some great photo opportunities and plenty of laughs!

A man in a burgundy jacket and purple polo shirt stands next to a large potato statue wearing a cowboy hat, with a woman dressed in camouflage trousers leaning her head on the statue's arm, both smiling outside a James Pringle store.

The Walking Club is a wonderful way to connect with nature, meet like-minded people, and explore the beautiful local areas. Our walks vary in difficulty, but we always make sure there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a gentle stroll or a more challenging hike, our club offers a relaxed, friendly atmosphere for all abilities.

A man in a burgundy jacket and purple polo shirt standing next to a large potato statue wearing a cowboy hat, raising one hand as if to wave, outside a James Pringle store.

If you’re a service user and you’d like to join us on future walks, please get in touch! We meet every Tuesday, and our next adventure will take us to another great location nearby. Simply bring comfortable walking shoes, a bottle of water, and a sense of adventure.

We look forward to welcoming new faces to the group!

Tuesday Walking Club – Stanton Moor

Group Photo with Scenic Background: Four people standing side by side on a road with a picturesque rural landscape in the background. Rolling green fields stretch into the distance under a clear blue sky. From left to right, a man in a navy blue T-shirt, a man in a brown shirt holding a camera, an elderly woman in a red jacket, and a woman with long grey hair in a light blue top and pink hoodie.

As the old saying goes, ‘The sun always shines on the blessed,’ and we were certainly blessed on our recent walk to Stanton Moor to see the Nine Ladies.

Our group enjoyed a wonderful 2.5-mile walk through farmland, spotting sheep, cows, and even alpacas along the way. We had a good laugh climbing over the stile as the views began to open up, revealing a stunning panorama. From the top, we could see Matlock and Riber Castle in all their glory.

Man with binoculars: A man stands alone on the road holding binoculars, examining them carefully. He is wearing a brown shirt and dark pants, standing against a scenic backdrop of green fields and distant hills under a bright blue sky.

Reaching the Nine Ladies stone circle, we were amused to find not just nine stones, but also a lady doing yoga in the middle, making it ten! After soaking in the scenery, we made our way back to Barn Farm, where we were warmly greeted at the shop and treated ourselves to some well-deserved coffees.

Such a lovely day—everyone left feeling contented and happy! 🥾🌿

If any service users would like to join us on future walks, please speak with your community support worker or call the office on **01623 397750**.

Gardening Club’s Latest Harvest: Blackberries and Courgettes Galore!

Our gardening club has worked hard this season, and the results are in! Recently, we gathered to pick a fantastic harvest of juicy blackberries and vibrant yellow courgettes. It’s always such a joy to see the fruits (and vegetables) of our labour.

Man Holding a Bowl of Blackberries: An older man wearing a black quilted jacket and a gray shirt smiles while holding a blue bowl filled with freshly picked blackberries. He stands in a garden or allotment with a pitchfork leaning against a wooden structure behind him.

One of our long-time members was especially proud of his blackberry haul. These berries will be a delicious addition to upcoming recipes – perhaps a homemade blackberry pie or jam.

Man Holding Blackberries in Allotment: The same older man, now looking off to the side, stands in a grassy area holding a blue bowl full of blackberries. A pitchfork and overgrown vegetation are visible behind him.
Woman Smiling with Harvest: A woman with red hair smiles while holding a plastic bowl containing freshly picked blackberries. She is wearing a floral dress, green gloves, and sturdy boots, standing in a grassy area near an allotment.

We didn’t stop at berries either! Our courgettes are looking bright and healthy, perfect for some late-summer cooking. Whether you’re thinking of making a courgette bake or simply grilling them, they’re full of flavour and ready for action.

Close-Up of Yellow Courgette: Two bright courgettes sit on a metallic kitchen surface and are displayed indoors.
Harvest Display of Vegetables and Fruit: A collection of freshly harvested produce, including two yellow courgettes, a bowl of blackberries, and a small pile of green peas, is laid out on a kitchen counter. The items are arranged on a silver surface.

It’s moments like these that make being part of the gardening club so special – everyone gets involved. Stay tuned for more harvest updates!!

Walking Club Adventure: Exploring Elvaston Castle

Three individuals stand in front of a sign for Elvaston Castle, which is surrounded by greenery. The person on the left is wearing a blue jacket, the person in the middle is wearing a beige shirt and black shorts, and the person on the right is holding binoculars and wearing a grey t-shirt and hat.

Recently, our walking club ventured to the beautiful grounds of Elvaston Castle, a local gem nestled in the heart of Derbyshire. With its rich history, sprawling woodlands, and intricate carvings scattered throughout the forest, it proved to be the perfect spot for our latest adventure.

As always, we set off with eager anticipation, excited to explore the castle grounds and reconnect with nature. The day greeted us with mild weather, perfect for walking, and the sun occasionally peeked through the tree canopy as we made our way down the winding trails.

Three individuals give a thumbs-up in front of the Elvaston Castle sign. The person on the left is in a blue jacket, the person in the middle wears a beige shirt and black shorts, and the person on the right has binoculars around their neck and a red jacket tied around their waist.

Upon arrival, we gathered at the iconic Elvaston Castle welcome sign. Standing proudly in front of it, our group posed for a quick photo to commemorate the start of our day. The grounds were welcoming, and we could already sense the adventures ahead.

The paths wind through wooded areas filled with various wildlife—perfect for the avid bird watchers. One member even brought along binoculars!!

A person wearing a grey t-shirt and bucket hat stands under an archway made from intertwined branches, holding binoculars, in a wooded path.

One of the surprises of the day was discovering beautiful wooden carvings hidden within the woods. First, we stumbled upon a charming owl sculpture followed by a tower.

A man in a blue checkered jacket stands outdoors next to a detailed owl carving made from wood. The background features trees and undergrowth, creating a woodland atmosphere.
A tall, wooden sculpture resembling a tower or castle spire is set among lush greenery and ferns in a woodland area.

After exploring the castle grounds and woodlands, we finished our trip at the Elvaston Castle Local Nature Reserve sign. The reserve, with its carefully preserved landscapes, is a haven for wildlife. We couldn’t help but take another group photo to round off a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Two people stand by a sign welcoming visitors to Elvaston Castle Local Nature Reserve. One person on the left is giving a thumbs-up, while the person on the right points to the sign and holds binoculars.

This trip was a reminder of why we love our walking club so much. Not only does it keep us active and outdoors, but it also brings us together, offering moments of discovery, laughter, and shared appreciation for the beauty of our local surroundings. Elvaston Castle gave us everything we could have hoped for—a mix of history, nature, and art, all wrapped up in the serenity of a day spent in the woods.

We’ll be back to explore more of Elvaston’s secrets!!

Cooking Sessions at the Community Hub – Update

Here’s some fab pictures of one of our recent cooking sessions at the Community Hub!

After discussing with staff and service users, we’ve decided on the costs for our Wednesday sessions. From October onwards, there will be a £2 contribution toward the ingredients for our 2-course meals, which includes the main dish and a pudding.

A smiling woman sitting on a grey sofa, holding a fork and plate with a partially eaten meal in her hand. She is wearing glasses, a grey cardigan, and floral sandals. On the white coffee table in front of her, there is a can of Sprite and some scattered papers. Another person is seated next to her, slightly out of view, wearing a blue shirt.

Refreshments will continue to be charged as they have been previously.

A man and woman sitting on a grey sofa, both holding plates with food. The woman, wearing glasses, an orange 'Active Ashfield' t-shirt, and camouflage trousers, has a plate of sweet potato fries. The man is wearing a checkered fleece jacket and grey sweatpants, holding a fork and plate with a meal covered in gravy. A floral pink bag rests on the floor next to the woman. In front of them is a white coffee table with a water bottle and various items.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in these sessions so far!

Tuesday Walking Club Conquers Mam Tor!!

Signpost at Mam Tor, High Peak Estate, with a National Trust logo at the top. Below, there is an information board about Mam Tor, referred to as the 'Mother Hill,' including details about its geology and history. A warning sign beneath it advises visitors to be cautious of cliff edges and to keep children under close supervision. In the background, grassy hills and blue skies are visible, with a person seated in the grass.
Two people sitting at a wooden picnic table outdoors, surrounded by tall trees. One person, wearing headphones and a pink hoodie, is looking down, possibly at a phone or tablet. The other person, with blonde hair and wearing a grey t-shirt, is eating a snack and looking towards the camera. Backpacks and a pink water bottle are placed on the table. The area is fenced, and sunlight filters through the trees, casting light and shadow across the scene.
Picnic Time!

Our walking club recently embarked on an incredible adventure to the top of Mam Tor, also known as the “Mother Hill.” Nestled in the heart of the High Peak, this spot offers some of the most stunning panoramic views in the Peak District. The weather was on our side, with blue skies and a gentle breeze guiding us to the summit.

A woman smiling while standing outdoors near the Mam Tor signpost, with rolling green hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky. She is wearing a light pink jacket over a butterfly-patterned shirt and a pastel scarf, with wind blowing her hair. A wooden fence and grassy area are visible behind her.

With enthusiasm and excitement, we followed the well-trodden paths to the peak. Along the way, we admired the wild beauty of the surrounding hills and valleys, breathing in the fresh air that comes with being surrounded by nature. At the summit, we were greeted by 360-degree views stretching far and wide across the Peak District National Park. It was the perfect spot to rest, take in the scenery, and capture some photos!

A woman standing and smiling near the summit of Mam Tor with a scenic landscape of green hills and valleys in the background. She is wearing a light pink jacket, a butterfly-patterned shirt, and a pastel scarf, with her hair being gently blown by the wind. The ground is made of cobblestone, and other people can be seen sitting and admiring the view in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Our walking club is not just about fitness and exploring nature; it’s also about building community and creating friendships. The camaraderie shared as we reached the top, smiling with pride at our achievement, is what makes these walks so amazing!

A woman standing and smiling next to a stone pillar at the summit of Mam Tor, with the stunning landscape of rolling green hills and valleys in the background under a partly cloudy sky. She is wearing a light pink jacket, a butterfly-patterned shirt, and a pastel scarf, with her hair blowing slightly in the wind. Other visitors are sitting on the grass in the background, admiring the view.

If you’re one of our service users and looking to join a supportive group that enjoys exploring beautiful outdoor spaces, our walking club is perfect for you. We offer regular walks every Tuesday, and each week brings a new adventure, whether walking local countryside paths or taking iconic hikes like Mam Tor.

A wide, panoramic view of the landscape surrounding Mam Tor in the Peak District. The scene shows a dirt walking path winding through grassy hills, with expansive, rolling green hills and valleys in the background. The sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds, creating a beautiful contrast with the natural terrain. The view captures the peaceful, open countryside, offering a sense of vastness and tranquility.

To find out more about how you can get involved in the next Tuesday walking club adventure, please speak to your community support worker or call our office on 01623 397750.