5k Your Way is a support group with a difference. A community-based initiative of charity MOVE Against Cancer, it encourages those living with and beyond cancer, family, friends and healthcare professionals to take part in a 5-kilometer parkrun event each month, in whatever way they can. Forestry England’s Alice Holt Forest in Surrey is one of these locations, where a local 5k Your Way group gets together to feel the benefit of shared experience whilst being active in the outdoors.
A cancer support group in the forest
The Alice Holt 5k Your Way group was launched in 2019 and has grown steadily since then. Participants are encouraged to do as much or as little of the 5k forest route as they wish, or simply to come for some company.
5k Your Way ambassador Helen loves the beauty of Alice Holt Forest. It’s where she and others come to walk, jog, run or volunteer on the last Saturday of the month, and then get together for a coffee and chat afterwards.
"It's an opportunity to bathe in the woods." - Helen, 5k Your Way ambassador
At Alice Holt, the forest environment – scientifically proven to positively impact physical, emotional and mental health - provides the perfect backdrop.
Shared experience and companionship
There are 112 5k Your Way groups across the UK and Ireland - based at designated parkruns - and the locations vary from coastal routes to parklands and forests. All participants receive a warm welcome and the groups are free of judgement and competition. People move their own way and it’s very much not a race. There’s plenty of support, kindness and encouragement too.
5k Your Way participants across the country love getting together to feel the benefit of shared experience. Friendships develop and proud moments are celebrated. The physical and mental health benefits can simply be witnessed in the smiles, and new participants are always welcome.
5k Your Way coming to Chopwell Wood
At Forestry England, we’re proud to support the 5k Your Way initiative and we’re excited that a new group is launching at Chopwell Wood in Tyne and Wear on Saturday 30 August.
"We're delighted to bring 5k Your Way to Chopwell Wood to enable even more people to connect with nature and each other, move and feel good." - Lucy Brenkley, Active Forests Coordinator at Forestry England
The new 5k Your Way group will join a family of weekly Feel Good in the Forest group activities at Chopwell Wood, including walking, cycling, gentle exercise, singing, gardening, archery and more.
Want to know more?
To find out more about the Alice Holt and Chopwell Wood 5k Your Way groups, you can visit the MOVE Against Cancer website.
