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14
Jun 2020
Harrogate disability charity brings countryside into homes
Harrogate charity Open Country, which works with people with disabilities, has been innovating to find ways to bring wildlife activities into its members' homes.
The charity normally runs weekly activities for people with a disability including tandem cycling, walking and nature study. Several of its activities require guidance and close contact, specifically to members with visual impairments. But over lockdown these were suspended to protect members.
Telephone befriending, virtual spinning sessions and blogs about nature are a few of the ways the charity is supporting its members as restrictions remain in place.
The ONS reported that more than a third of disabled adults had spent too much time alone since lockdown began, compared with a fifth of non-disabled adults.
Lizzie Hughes, the countryside activities officer for Open Country, told The Stray Ferret about the impact of lockdown on their members:
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- Harrogate Borough Council are offering discretionary grants for smaller businesses in the district, this includes charities.
- The Nidderdale llamas are offering birthday messages and virtual treks over lockdown.
Nature has a positive impact on the charity's members but under lockdown their opportunities to go outside are limited. To combat this Open Country has introduced a new initiative 'Breakfree' - a collection of local walks suitable for all abilities round Harrogate, Nidderdale and Wharfedale.
Lizzie added:
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