A few weeks ago Miranda and I travelled to the bustling town of Walsall in the Black Country. It’s a vibrant, busy urban landscape where opportunities to truly “get into nature” can feel few and far between. We were there to deliver a Let’s Go Outdoors workshop in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, proudly sponsored by Sport England.
As we arrived in Walsall the sun came out and it was so lovely standing outside the amazing art gallery in the town centre and to see the happy smiling faces of the families that were joining us
The families were so grateful to have a workshop provided for them (all for FREE) and excitedly joined us alongside the water which was now sparkling in the sun that had broken through the clouds.
It was great to see that the workshop had appealed to a wide range of families representative of the diverse cultures in the Walsall area. It was wonderful to see the impact that being by the canal had on the children and their families. There were many comments from the families about how happy they were to be in nature. Wallsal is one of the most urban canal locations that we have facilitated a workshop but even in such an urban area families feel that they are deeply connecting with the nature that the canal brings.
Weeks before we even arrived, the workshops were fully booked. This spoke volumes: urban families are hungry for opportunities to connect with the outdoors and reclaim their local canal spaces.
Session 1:
As the sun broke through the clouds, the water began to sparkle, and so did the mood. It was incredible to watch families—whom many spend most of their time navigated by concrete and traffic—instantly soften as they connected with the environment.
Session 2:
One of my personal highlights was seeing how nature builds resilience. During our second workshop, the sky turned grey and the heavens opened.
In many settings, a heavy downpour would end the fun. But here? The children didn’t even notice. They were so deep in their flow—creating arts and crafts and laughing—that the rain just became part of the adventure. It proved a powerful point: Getting outside, whatever the weather, is a game-changer for happiness.
Even in the heart of the most industrial areas, when families find a small pocket of nature, the effect is instant and it was amazing to see this up close with families.
Some glimmers from the day:
Want to try it yourself? You can now experience our Self-Led Family Wellbeing Trail at Walsall Basin. It’s free, grounding, and the perfect way to find your own “glimmers”.