I think of myself as the blind guy who wants to see and show people the world. Wandering the countryside is where I’m happiest, so much so, that I was appointed President of the Ramblers earlier this year. We want to open the way so that more people can enjoy the benefits of walking in nature. It’s easy to assume that everyone has the same opportunities to enjoy our green and pleasant land, but research by the Ramblers shows this isn’t the case, and according to the government, 21 million Brits don’t have accessible green or blue space within a 15-minute walk of their homes. 1 in 5 people in the UK are also prevented from using the public rights of way network due to mobility issues. For others, there are just not enough opportunities to enjoy the countryside, perhaps because of lack of knowledge or confidence.
When my parents came to the UK from Pakistan in the 1960s, they had three blind kids to look after and a lot of other challenges to deal with – a ramble through the countryside was the last thing on their minds. It wasn’t until I was in my early 20s that I had my first hiking experience, completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge without any training (not advised!). That hike changed the course of my life for ever. When I spend time in nature, all the beauty and wildness follows me back in my mind. I love feeling the ground beneath my feet. Hearing the wind whistling through the trees. It lives on inside me and has helped me build confidence in myself. I went blind at 18 and was depressed for a long time. After hiking, I feel amazing for weeks on end. That’s why I truly believe that opening up responsible and informed access to the outdoors can enrich lives and boost the nation’s health and wellbeing.
The Ramblers is calling on the government to introduce a transformational Access to Nature Bill to unlock the outdoors for everyone. With the cost of inactivity estimated at £1 billion annually, and disconnection from nature having been highlighted as a key driver of biodiversity loss, improving people’s ability to access nature is a relatively simple solution to many of the complex challenges of modern life.
Amar Latif is president of Britain’s walking charity, the Ramblers. Learn more about Outdoors Unlocked at ramblers.org.uk.
Anything which gets people out of their vehicles and better engaged with their natural surroundings is a worthy cause. As a scout of the early 70’s, I learned so much about woodlands; flora and fauna; living with, and caring for, the environment. Unfortunately, most, even given the opportunity, won’t put themselves out to experience that which is available to them, but we need to ensure the opportunities are there for those that will.