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Putting Your Heart into Walking

On Saturday 5th September 2026 fourteen people from the Equals IW Friends and Family Group joined Mark in Ventnor to explore the second half of the Armada Coastline Trail.

The walk started at Ventnor Cricket Club where a game of afternoon cricket was in full play. Mark led the group down a short road leading to the coastal pathways just above the beautiful Steephill Cove. Here the group joined the cliff top coastal path through overhanging trees to pass the outskirts of the Ventnor Botanic Garden. A hidden gem on the Isle of Wight, it is set in a unique micro-climate that is around five degrees warmer than the rest of the UK. The group passed the site of the old Royal Hospital for Diseases of the Chest.

Mark took the group along a short inland pathway to walk through the village of St Lawrence. The village is set in the natural surroundings of the Undercliff on the south coast of the island to the south west of Ventnor. As the group passed through the village they explored St Lawrence Parish Church.

The group then re-joined the second half of the tranquil Armada Coastal Trail to Woody Point which overlooks Woody Bay. On reaching the cliffs the group had a special treat as they watched the PS Waverley steam across the bay beneath a clear, cloudless sky. PS Waverly is the last seagoing passenger carrying paddle steamer in the world and it looked magnificent against the deep blue sea..

The route then led everyone along the coastal cliff pathway, passing outstanding countryside views of the inland chalk cliffs with the woodland trees of St Lawrence and Ventnor Undercliff. Walking back along the top of the coastal cliff pathway the group admired the views of St Richards Cove, Steephill Cove, Castle Cove and Ventnor Bay.

The walk finished by visiting tranquil Steephill Cove where everyone relaxed and enjoyed the sea view. Sitting in the warm sunshine with refreshments was a lovely way to end the walk.

Each person walked 4 Miles, 6.5km, burned around 425 calories and completed 10,200 steps. The walk also helped all support their emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health. Those attending were able to spend time together in a warm, welcoming and safe environment. The walk gave people a chance to get out of the house, meet new people and enjoy time with friends.

The The Armada Coastline Trail and Steephill Cove Walk is one of the activities of Green Time which is a Partnership Programme between Equals IW, MCEnhancement and Isle of Wight Council Adult and Community Learning Small Grants Funding.

Green Time a fun, informal way using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

On Sunday 12th July 2026, thirteen people from the Equals IW Friends and Family Group joined Mark at Bonchurch Green. They explored the peaceful village of Bonchurch and completed the Armada Coastline and Stokey Woodall’s Solar System Walk.

Mark led the group to the village pond and showed them several houses where famous people had stayed. He talked about the history of East Dene before the group went inside Old St Boniface Church to explore this historic building.

The group visited the bathing stream once used by Charles Dickens and then walked to Monks Bay, where they learned about the Battle of Bonchurch. Mark then led the group to the start of the Armada Coastline Walk and Stokey Woodall’s Solar System Walk.

They walked along the seawall to Wheeler’s Bay and learned about the wildlife found in this special area. A quiz kept everyone involved throughout the walk. The group read the information boards and listened as Mark shared more interesting facts.

Everyone enjoyed learning about the planets in our solar system, from the Sun to Pluto. The group worked hard to find the answers to the quiz and enjoyed some friendly competition. Along the way, they learned about local history, wildlife, natural habitats and the solar system.

The walk and quiz finished at the local Sea Pot Café. Everyone relaxed together and enjoyed the wonderful sea view. Sitting in the sunshine with a cooling breeze and refreshments was a lovely way to end the walk.

Each person walked 2 miles (3.21 km), burned around 99 calories and completed about 5,000 steps. The activity also helped everyone support their emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Those attending were able to spend time together in a warm, welcoming and safe environment. The activity gave people a chance to get out of the house, meet new people and enjoy time with friends.

The activity also gave one learner the opportunity to spend time with their child. Together they completed the walk and enjoyed exploring the beach and rocks.

The Bonchurch Village, The Armada Coastline and Stokey Woodall’s Solar System Walk is one of the activities of Green Time which is a Partnership Programme between Equals IW, MCEnhancement and Isle of Wight Council Adult and Community Learning Small Grants Funding. 

Green Time a fun, informal way using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Fourteen Friends and Family Group Members of Equals IW came together to put their heart into a walk with Mark on Sunday 24th May 2026.

The group met at the National Trust Ventnor Downs car park to Join Mark on a flat walk to explore Bonchurch, Luccombe and Shanklin Downs.

Clear blue skies allowed them to enjoy spectacular views across the full width of the Isle of Wight from the cliffs of Freshwater Bay to the Culver Cliffs overlooking Sandown Bay including beautiful views of Wroxall Downs.

The group saw the entire Solent coastline from the South Downs in the east towards Brighton, past Portsmouth and its Spinnaker Tower, to the west towards the New Forest and Bournemouth.

They walked in very warm temperatures of 25–28°C which is the hottest Green Time Walk to date. So Mark encouraged everyone to rest in the shade and download the Merlin Bird app.

The group learnt how to identify different birds singing such as

• Eurasian Skylark
• Eurasian Wren
• Common Chaffinch
• Common Chiffchaff
• Eurasian Linnet
• Meadow Pipit
• European Goldfinch
• European Robin.

They finished the walk stood on the highest point of the Isle of Wight after walking 3.4 miles, 5.5km, burning 318 Kcal, and making 8,000 steps.

The Three Downs Walk across Bonchurch, Luccombe, and Shanklin Downs gave everyone the opportunity to improve their physical fitness while boosting emotional wellbeing, confidence, self-esteem, and overall mental health.

Those attending were able to relax with others in friendship in a warm and welcoming atmosphere and safe environment spending time getting out of the house and meeting new people.

The Three Downs Walk is one of the activities of Green Time a Partnership Programme between Equals IW, MCEnhancement and Isle of Wight Council Mental Health Alliance Mental Wellbeing Small Grants Funding.

Green Time a fun, informal way using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

You Are What You Eat!

Bringing people together through food and conversation, MCenhancement, Men Only IOW, and Equals IW partnered with Isle of Wight Council Adult and Community Learning to run three Food and Mood workshops. Funded by the Council, the sessions were held at Rodger and Steve’s Warm Space/Safe Place in Ryde.

Eight men joined Mark and Shirley in a relaxed and supportive setting to explore the connection between food and mood—looking at how what we eat can influence how we feel, think, and support our mental wellbeing. Shirley included tips on how to incorporate healthy regularly eating into your life and the importance of a balanced diet and staying hydrated.

The session enabled all to explore the role of carbohydrates and eating the right balanced proteins and fats, recognising the importance of vitamins and minerals and looking after your gut health.

Everyone joined Mark and Shirley to experience the simple pleasure of cooking together and creating a hearty winter meal from scratch. The group worked as a team to prepare a traditional Shepherd’s Pie with fresh vegetables and an apple crumble pudding, following recipes, measuring ingredients, and learning new skills along the way.

The group members all worked in pairs to selected their own filling and successfully make their Shepard’s Pie. Most of the group also successfully made an Apple Crumble..

Before coming together to enjoy the meal, the group reflected on the wider benefits of eating together, including the positive impact on mental wellbeing, social connection, and overall health.

Together all taking part learnt about

• The role of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats
• The importance of vitamins, minerals, and gut health
• How food choices impact mental health, mood, confidence, and overall well-being

The book ‘Food and Mood’ was an ideal resource for participants who presented with diverse learning abilities and it stimulated excellent group discussions. As they explored the resource book all participants positively contributing to group discussions. The session also enabled everyone to promote and enhance their own positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health. They were able to relax with others in friendship in a warm and welcoming atmosphere and safe environment, spending time getting out of the house and meeting new people.

Green Time Cultural Food and Mood, is a fun, informal way of using food to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health through the food we eat.

You Are What You Eat!

Bringing people together through food and conversation, MCenhancement, Men Only IOW, and Equals IW partnered with Isle of Wight Council Adult and Community Learning to run three Food and Mood workshops. Funded by the Council, the sessions were held at Rodger and Steve’s Warm Space/Safe Place in Ryde.

The second workshop took place on Tuesday 16 December 2025. Eight men joined Mark and Cece to learn about food, culture, and mood, and how what we eat can support emotional wellbeing and mental health.

The group worked with Mark to explore the Eatwell Guide. They learned about different types of food and drink and how much of each we should have to keep a healthy, balanced diet. This included fruit and vegetables and starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, rice and pasta.

In small groups participants discussed other foods including dairy and alternatives, beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat, and other proteins. Everyone learned how eating well is linked to a healthy lifestyle, helping us feel better and support our long-term health.

Most participants also joined a full group discussion about oils and spreads, foods high in fat, salt and sugar, hydration, and alcohol.

The group enjoyed taking part in the Eatwell Guide Quiz and the “5 A Day” Kahoot quiz.

After this Cece led a cooking session where everyone learned how to prepare a Filipino cultural Christmas buffet. The dishes included fresh vegetables, rice, noodles, pastry, festive sausage meat, chicken, and gammon. Participants worked together in small groups to prepare the ingredients, cook the food, and share the meal.

Eating together also gave the group a chance to experience the social, emotional, and physical benefits of shared meals.

Together, the group learned about:

• The role of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats
• The importance of vitamins, minerals, and gut health
• How food choices can affect mood, confidence, and overall wellbeing

The Eatwell Guide resource book was helpful for all participants, including those with different learning needs. It supported good discussions and everyone took part and shared their ideas.

The session also helped improve emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, and self-esteem. It gave people a chance to relax, enjoy time with others in a safe and friendly space. And meet new people outside their usual routine.

Green Time Cultural Food and Mood, is a fun, informal way of using food to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health through the food we eat.

You Are What You Eat!

Bringing people together through food and conversation, MCenhancement, Men Only IOW, and Equals IW partnered with Isle of Wight Council Adult and Community Learning to run three Food and Mood workshops. Funded by the Council, the sessions were held at Rodger and Steve’s Warm Space/Safe Place in Ryde.

The third workshop took place on Tuesday 27 January 2026. Nine men joined Mark and Cece for an engaging session on food, culture, and mood. They explored how what we eat can support emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Participants took part in a Health Food Puzzle activity. Two men worked on their own, and four worked in pairs to complete the full puzzle. Others made good progress and completed half. One participant took a partly finished puzzle home to complete, and another chose to take an extra puzzle home.

Everyone contributed positively to group discussions while working on the activity. Participants learned that eating well and having a healthy lifestyle can help us feel better and support our long-term health. Some also shared ideas about how healthy eating can improve physical health, mood, emotions, and mental wellbeing.

After this the group joined Cece for a cooking session. They learned how to prepare a Korma curry with fresh vegetables, onion bhaji, chapati, and bala bala (Indonesian vegetable fritters), using spices and rice. Everyone worked together in small groups to prepare the ingredients, cook the food, and share the meal.

Eating together gave participants the chance to enjoy the social, emotional, and physical benefits of shared meals.

Together, the group learned about:

• The role of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats
• The importance of vitamins, minerals, and gut health
• How food choices affect mood, confidence, and overall wellbeing

The Health Food Puzzle and the Eatwell Guide fact sheets were useful resources that helped support learning and encouraged good group discussions.

The session also helped improve emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, and self-esteem. It gave participants the chance to relax, spend time with others in a safe and friendly environment, and meet new people outside their usual routine.

Green Time Cultural Food and Mood, is a fun, informal way of using food to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health through the food we eat.

On Sunday 28th September 2025 Equals IW Friends and Family Group members came together to take part in the Autumn Green Time Walk. Participants took part in range of fun informal learning activities while walking and exploring the local countryside and wildlife. 

The walk started by joining Mark at Shanklin Railway Station for an autumn Sunday walk along the old railway footpath and woodland trails and an autumn scavenger hunt. They also took part in a team learning activity focused on Why it is important to reconnect to nature? 

The group sat on fallen trees in an opening in the centre of the woodland learning about the health benefits of walking. They discussed the boost to wellbeing of the great outdoors for our emotional welling and mental health.

The route was a three mile circular flat and easy walk. It offered a mix of woodland trails, quiet country bridleways and the old railway footpath which passes beneath two original brick bridges. Everyone really enjoyed exploring  America Wood as they meandered through the paths and crossed a stream.

Unusually for the Isle of Wight most of the wood today is high oak forest with downy birch. The woodland floor supports a great deal of holly but little else in the way of ground cover. A badger set has been reported and red squirrels are occasionally seen.

The walk followed the valley to Ninham and Ninham Farm where the group joined the bridleway path through Lower Hyde Holiday Park back to Shanklin Railway Station.

On average each person walked three miles or 4.82km and burnt 281 Kcal while walking 6,680 Steps. 

The walk was part of the partnership programme between MCEnhancement with Equals IW and the Isle of Wight Council Adult and Community Learning Team.

Green Time a fun, informal way using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

The final walk of this year took place recently on Saturday 18th October 2025 and rounded off four years of successful walks.

Equals IW Friends and Family Group members came together at the Old Smithy Car Park opposite the Griffin Pub.

Mark and Dan walked the group through the village past the charming thatched cottages and medieval All Saints’ Church on the hill. After stopping for the group photo Mark led the group along Sheepwash Lane stopping to look at the horses in the fields on the way.

Dan then led the group to join the Worsley Trail to Freemantle Gate leading onto Appuldurcombe House which is a ruin of the 18th century home of the Worsley family.

Mark stopped the group at various viewpoints along the walk allowing them time to explore. From these spots they enjoyed rolling countryside views stretching inland across the valley and across the island to the white cliffs of Freshwater Bay. The views of Shanklin and Sandown Bay with the white cliffs of Culver Down were equally spectacular.

Dan led the group along the hillside pathways joining the Stenbury Trail to walk downhill and through Sainham Wood back to the start of the walk. Here as a group we explored woodland and collected lots of chestnuts and visited Godshill Orchards Farm Gate Shop to buy homemade delights.

The final walk of the year ended with hot drinks and cream scones relaxing in the afternoon sunshine in the garden of a local village café..

On average each person walked three miles or 4.8km of medium difficulty with gradual hill slopes.  They burnt around 280 Kcal, while walking around 6,700 Steps,

We took photos

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Putting Your Heart into Walking with Green Time. A fun, informal way of using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.