Isle of Wight National Landscape in partnership with Creative Ways Outdoors, Independent Arts and StoneCrabs Theatre explore access and connection to the landscape.
The Isle of Wight National Landscape is for everyone to visit, enjoy and take care of. The project Discovering Landscapes invited Isle of Wight residents to begin a journey of Nature Connection, to take the first step in developing a long lasting relationship with the landscape. The project focused on those who had previously faced barriers in accessing the landscape.
Heritage Coast to Coast
Creative Ways Outdoors through their project Heritage Coast to Coast worked with Equals IW, Viva Carnival Club and Yes Creative Beats!
Project report written by Creative Ways Outdoors. Photos by Maria Bell.
1 – Project aspiration
Creative Ways Outdoors worked with two distinct community groups – IW Equals and VIVA / Yes-Creative Beats CIC whose membership identified as rarely engaging with areas within the Isle of Wight National Landscape. Our aim was to introduce them to the two defined Heritage Coasts on the Island and to develop a sense of nature connectedness with their ‘adopted’ coast that would ensure they continued to visit and enjoy these areas in the future.
At the initial meeting between all partners, IW Equals elected to explore the Tennyson Heritage Coast around the Compton Bay area whilst VIVA chose the Hamstead Coast in the Newtown area. Neither group were aware of the definition or the unique nature of their chosen areas.
In addition to core aims of the project, Creative Ways Outdoors sought to further highlight the two locations by devising and leading a new Isle of Wight walking trail – the Heritage Coast to Coast Walk as part of the IW Spring Walking Festival programme.
All activities were chosen and delivered to ensure the aims of the project set by IW National Landscape were addressed and evaluated.
2 – Partners
VIVA Carnival Club led by Yes! Creative Beats CIC. Learning disabled drumming and percussion focused social group who meet on a weekly basis.
IW Equals. Culturally diverse social group which is part of a national organisation. Whilst the group do undertake community activity, they do not have a regular meeting pattern.
National Trust. The National Trust who owns and manages both the Compton and Newtown sites and were keen supporters of the project, particularly as it also met their aim of engaging diverse groups into greater interaction with their estates.
Wilder Learning. Nature and environment specialist who delivered two bespoke site visits for each group tailored to the individual needs of the visiting organisation.
Gina Dyer Arts. Freelance artist specialising in working with organisations to interpret and then articulate learning thought creative means.
Alison Knapman and Cathy Ody. Freelance ‘Community Connectors’ who supported Equals and Viva thought the research, learning and creative processes as well as on event days.
3 – The process
Initial meetings were held with both Equals and VIVA members to clearly explain the aims and ambition of the project and to undertake some initial evaluation questions. Following this, both groups were invited to take part in two expert led site visits coordinated by Kathy Grogan, Wider Learning. Integral to the site visits was undertaking some accessible creative activities, the results of which were required for inspiration for project pennants and as part of the onsite displays on event days.
Some individuals from both groups made a third site visit accompanied by the Community Connectors to design and risk assess a short walk through their designated area. These walks were advertised as part of the IW Walking Festival.
Following the inspirational site visits each of the groups was supported by Gina Dyer Arts to design and create 10 silk pennants that reflected what they had learned and enjoyed within the Heritage Coastlines. These pennants were used as site decoration on the event days and also were part of the national Beach of Dreams project.
Each group was then supported to develop, design and deliver a small ‘show and tell’ event at their given location on Sunday 18th May, the last day of the Walking Festival. VIVA / Yes’s event at Newtown ran from 11:00 – 13:00 and Equals event at Compton Bay from 15:00 – 17:00. The events were to present learning, offer a public guided walk and an element of community participation and performance.
Frankie Goldspink, Creative Ways Outdoors, designed, recced twice, and risk assessed a new Isle of Wight walking trail – the Heritage Coast to Coast Walk. This eight-mile walk linked the two Heritage Coasts and ensured that the VIVA and Equals ‘show and tell’ events were all part of a wider programme.
4 – Feedback from activities at the Newtown site
Whilst VIVA as a club meet on a weekly basis in the evening, the members often have regular day time commitments or are reliant on carers or family members for travel and access support. This meant that despite there being 35 people at the initial group meeting, numbers at the site visits were considerably less.
“One of the aspects that was difficult for VIVA was accessibility. We are reliant on carers and family members in order to get people to events and workshops, and this is often difficult due to shift times of care staff/ regular commitments to other groups that members attend”
Yetta Elkins, VIVA Group Leader and Yes! Creative Beats.
To overcome this barrier Kathy Grogan devised a self-guided walk including a worksheet and plant identification quiz. Yetta reported that several members of the group attended individually and thoroughly enjoyed the process.
There is no doubt that for those that attended the site visits these created a real change in mindset, confidence and increased sense of connectedness with nature.
“As the walks progressed participants became more confident and started to focus on all their senses guided by Kathy Grogan. For example, one participant was really scared to even look at a crab, but she overcame her fear to hold one in her hand. Kathy gave them different leaves and petals to smell and taste, and some were able to overcome their first anxieties and taste some and were surprised at the tastes. They loved listening to the bird song and learnt some new sounds”
Cathy Ody, Community Connector
“The first visit to Newtown with the Viva group took place in early Spring when the ground conditions were quite soft. Although the participants were all wearing suitable footwear for the conditions, there was a level of nervousness and trepidation regarding walking through muddy pathways. The rest of the group gave those participants lots of verbal support and congratulations on their achievement of getting through. The simple act of walking on soft, uneven ground was clearly a new experience for some people and will probably not be seen as such a barrier in future”.
Kathy Grogan, Wilder Learning
One advantage of the regular nature of VIVA’s meetings was that they were willing and able to undertake additional activity at their regular club sessions. This included the creation of a twelve minute long ‘Newtown Soundscape’ based on recordings made during the site visit and a bespoke ‘sound journey’ using wooden instruments and hand drums. This sound journey was rehearsed at club night by all members and presented to the public at the ‘show and tell’ event.
The creative activities during the onsite visits reinforced the appreciation of the local nature but also served as reminders when it came to designing and producing the project pennants. Activities included pressing flowers and leaves into fabric to create pigment prints and collecting petals and sticking them onto card to create bookmarks.
Creation of the project pennants was undertaken at extended regular club nights thus engaging all members of the organisation including those who were unable to attend site visits.
The creative sessions were approached with huge enthusiasm and lots of talk about what we saw and did on the two field visits. We discussed that the flags and bunting would be erected at Newtown on Sunday 18 May and members remembered the names of some of the plants and birds that we saw and heard. They thoroughly enjoyed doing the printing and were very proud of what they created.
Cathy Ody, Community Connector
The ‘show and tell’ event was held adjacent to the Old Town Hall in Newtown. Marcus Elms, from VIVA let a short 1 mile walk for members of the public to the bird hide and back to the Hall via a different route. VIVA members had created two display boards highlighting their learning and the group undertook two musical performances of their specially created ‘sound journey’.
“I loved leading the walk and I’d do it again. I talked about the plants and nature and the bird hide. It’s a good spot for bird watching”
Marcus Elms, VIVA member.
Whilst the numbers of general public attending were disappointingly low, attendances by VIVA members was good and the event only went to reinforce the personal relationship with the surrounding nature.
It’s been amazing to be involved in this community programme. working together we were able to bring nature and heritage to community groups ensuring equal access to Newtown Nature Reserve and Compton Bay. It Enabled everyone who attended to engage in nature on their own terms creatively and created a greater sense of belonging and connection.
Denise Makin, Senior Volunteering & Community Officer, IW National Trust
The concept of connectedness with nature was difficult to clearly explain to some of VIVA members and as a result we simplified the range. We were also unable to ask exactly the same people both times, so answers are percentages, not numerical.
Q. How connected do you feel with nature?
| Before the project | After the project | |
| Not at all | 3% | 0% |
| A little | 34% | 7% |
| A lot | 63% | 93% |
When we asked if the group had enjoyed being part of the project, they all said a resounding “yes” and all thought they would do more outdoor activities from now on.
Some of the group reported on the significant ‘moments’ they experienced whist taking part:
“The birdsong”
“Plants and petals”
“Knowing why birds have different shaped beaks“
“Leading a walk”
“Overcoming a fear of insects”
“Holding a crab”
Other feedback of note: –
- One carer had bought walking boots last year and never worn them. She was so enthused by the first walk she has been out several more times.
- One care home reported they are planning on “bringing residents on more walks like this”
5 Feedback from activities at the Compton Site
Equals is an umbrella organisation with a number of cultural subgroups. Communication with the sub-groups and individual members was via the organisation’s lead, Mark Cox. Mark worked closely with a mentee, Dan, to help him gain is skill and confidence. We facilitated an initial meeting with the sub-group leaders, but as none of the groups meet on a regular basis, detailed initial evaluations were limited. It was clear, however, that very few of the group had ever visited Compton Bay before.
“It was my first visit to Compton Bay, and I enjoyed the variations between the 3 visits. We didn’t see the surfers until the last visit but understand this is a beach for surfers. You experience different weather patterns throughout the afternoon and have to be prepared for the cold wind”
Equals member
“None of the participants in the Equals group that I spoke to had been to Compton Bay before. I don’t think they would have considered visiting the coast for an evening walk or when the weather isn’t sunny without this project”
Kathy Grogan, Wilder Learning
Kathy Grogan facilitated a range of accessible creative activities at both the site visits and these clearly added to the enjoyment of the visits but, more importantly, created a greater understanding of the significance of the location.
“Field Trips were successful with a good range of different activities. All were exciting and engaging. The creative activities meant there was excellent participation by all involved. Great fun and a great deal of learning too”.
Alison Knapman, Community Connector
“Really enjoyable project linking creativity, nature and culture together on one of the most beautiful places on the Island”
Equals member
“Many group members report a greater appreciation for the wildlife, natural plants, geological environment and heritage with a change of mind-set through newly acquired knowledge. Visiting Compton Bay, exploring the natural habitat, seeing and hearing wildlife and touching the natural habitat has increased nature connectedness very successfully.”
Mark Cox, Equals Group Leader
The design and creation of the 10 x Equals project pennants again reinforced the appreciation and understanding of the environment surrounding Compton Bay. The Heritage Coast to Coast project was one of 172 associated with the national Beach of Dreams project and this linkage held far greater significance for the Equals group than VIVA. One of the outcomes within the Beach of Dreams project was that groups should make a ‘climate pledge’. This so inspired the Equals membership, and they created a 3-page sustainability action plan. Once ratified this will be uploaded on their website (copy available on request).
“Something that I could never imagined myself doing the batik work and painting from the pictures we drew on the beach. The talks and explanation were super as well and it all linked so well together. I now want to go to the beach even more and I see things so differently”.
Equals member
The ‘show and tell’ event was held in a reserved area within the Compton Bay car park. The event comprised of a short walk led by Mark and Dan, a display highlighting work and learning undertaken, cultural performances, a community picnic and a site-specific performance on the beach using the pennants created by both VIVA and Equals. During the event the long-distance walkers undertaking the 8 miles Heritage Coast to Coast Walk were welcomed with a little ceremony. As with the VIVA event, public engagement was small, but it did reinforce to participants the significance of the activities they had been undertaking.
“A group of young men attended the second field trip and the finale – they had recently arrived into this country. They were very engaged in the activities, whether identifying plants or sketching the landscape. It was a wonderful way of making them feel connected, included in the group around them and an introduction to the landscapes on the Isle of Wight”.
Alison Knapman, Community Connector
“I did enjoy helping to lead the short walk as it was my very first walk with the responsibility. I enjoyed meeting many new people for the first time, talking, walking and engaging with them on the walk along the beach. It was a very successful short walk that was clearly enjoyed by all those taking part”.
Dan, Equals mentee
The culmination of the ‘show and tell’ events was a parade of all 20 project pennants from the Compton Bay Car Park down the steps and onto the beach to form a site-specific creating installation. Each pennant was carried, with pride, by a member drawn from the groups. The pennants were placed in the sand and the installation mirrored many other such installations around the country during May as part of the Beach of Dreams project.
“The final celebration was a sea of flags, inspiring more people to care of and enjoy and engage in countryside and understand that Nature, beauty and history belong to everyone”
Denise Makin, Senior Volunteering & Community Officer, IW National Trust
For easy comparison we used the same set of connectedness questions as we did with VIVA.
Q. How connected do you feel with nature?
| Before the project | After the project | |
| Not at all | 0% | 0% |
| A little | 50% | 33% |
| A lot | 50% | 64% |
There was universal appreciation for the project with 5 of the 15 people who undertook the final survey suggesting that the project should have gone on over a greater period of time. They wanted more!
Significant ‘moments’ reported included: –
- “Seeing the 20 flags on Compton Beach”
- “Parading the flags I was involved in making”
- “Geology and sketching”
- “Learning about the rocks”
- “Enjoy nature with friends”
- “Understanding the importance of nature in our lives”
- “The nature trip on the first visit – especially seeing the dinosaur feet”
- “To see the footprint of the dinosaurwalking”
6. Feedback from the Coast to Coast walk
The Coast-to-Coast Walk was designed as a new exciting walking trail for the Island but also to ensure the project was viewed as one event. To the project participants and wider public it raised awareness of the fact that the Island has 2 defined Heritage Coasts out of a total of 42 in England and Wales. Eight people signed up for the walk, but sadly only two turned up on the day. VIVA members formed a flag parade that led the two intrepid Coast-to-Coasters at the start and Equals members formed a similar flag parade to welcome them to Compton Bay.
“This wonderful trail route was designed by seasoned Walk Leader and Creative Ways Outdoors director, Frankie Goldspink and the launch formed part of a wider project aimed at creating a sense of connectedness between people and nature” Jenny Walker, IW Ramblers Association, Communication Officer. Extract taken form the IW Ramblers Facebook page
The trail is to be fully written up and published on the IW National Landscape website. There will be a formal celebratory launch of the walk later this year.
7 Project outputs
| Planned | Achieved | |
| Events | 3 | 3 |
| Artists and subject specialists | 6 | 5 |
| Participants | 40 | 67 |
| Volunteers | 6 | 6 |
| Audiences live | 200 | 103 |
| Audiences digital | 1500 | 2400 |
8. Conclusions
We are confident that all 3 of the core project aims as set by IW National Landscape have been met’.
Aim 1: Isle of Wight residents visit parts of the landscape (within the IW National Landscape designation) new to them
“The Compton Bay area was new to most of the participants. One had been to the ice cream van before but not made it onto the beach! From discussions, many will now return. The project has opened up new areas, where they are, access etc so more confidence to return independently”
Alison Knapman, Community Connector
Aim 2 Participants select ‘moments’ in the landscape to share with a wider audience
“The session was interactive, creative and a fun way to learn. It gave us the chance to relax, learn and enjoy nature together. The time at Compton was a great way to feel better, connect with others and take in the stunning coastline views”
Taken from the IW Equals website
“We learned so much at Newtown today with Kathy and had a really funny time with loads of laughs, a lovely walk and donuts in the van to finish!”
Taken from the VIVA Facebook page
Aim 3 Participants experience a change in mindset, confidence and / or nature connectedness
“Visiting Compton Bay, exploring the natural habitat, seeing and hearing wildlife and touching the natural habitat has increased nature connectedness very successfully”.
Mark Cox, Equals Group leader
“Many in the group were nervous of tasting leaves and petals including the three cornered leeks and the apple blossom and hawthorn but most did try in the end and were surprised and pleased Holding and observing crabs and seaweed is another example of the new connection to nature”
Cathy Ody, Community Connector.
9 Additional notes
9.1 In the preparation of this report feedback was provided by: –
- Kathy Grogan, Wilder Learning
- Mark Cox, IW Equals
- Dan, IW Equals
- IW Equals members via a survey link
- Yetta Elkins, Yes! Creative Beats
- Marcus Elms, VIVA member
- VIVA members via sticky coloured smiles
- Alison Knapnan, Community Connector
- Cathy Ody, Community Connector
- Dee Makin, IW National Trust
9.2 The IW Equals ‘Sustainability Action Plan’ is available on request.
9.3 The IW National Trust were very supportive of the project and provided free car park passes for all taking part at both the site visits and final event. They also gave everyone a ‘community pass’ which offers free entry to any NT property for up to eight times in 2025.
10 Final words from Kathy Grogan, Wilder Learning:
“I have worked on many different projects over the years with the broad aim of supporting nature connection. This project is one of the few that has actually brought communities out into nature who would not normally be there. Each group experienced challenges brought by the weather, but showed resilience in participating and finding something they weren’t expecting or wouldn’t normally do. Sitting at the foot of a cliff painting the landscape with the wind howling around you was experienced by those on the second Equals visit to Compton and, although that’s something they probably won’t do again, it has been part of the experience of finding that connection to place and developing a sense of belonging.
I think both groups have overcome barriers to accessing nature, whether that be wearing warmer clothes or having the confidence to walk along muddy footpaths, so further visits will not be hampered by those things in the future. Participants in both groups talked about return visits, some planning to bring their families, some looking forward to visiting alone and some interested in further guided walks”