Activities
Guided Walks
UProjects offer organised or bespoke guided walks locally in Oldham and the Peak District with an offer of progression walks to the mountain areas of the UK
We work in close partnership with Oldham Councils Environmental Services who manage the “Lets go for a Walk” scheme that is Oldham’s contribution to the national Walking for Health initiative.
UProjects contributes free guided walks to Transport for Greater Manchester’s seasonal walking festivals
Keep an eye on our events list and calendar for guided walks for all abilities from gentle short walks to high mountain walks in the UK.
You can join our walks by booking on line or we can design a bespoke walk for you, your group or organisation.
Is it for me?
You can start where you’re at!
If you’re just starting out we can help you choose a walk that suits you and you can progress with other people of the same ability, walking is a sociable activity and you will make new friends and have fun whilst improving your health, fitness and confidence.
If you’re a seasoned walker that wants to explore further check out our more adventurous mountain days, maybe try a UProjects rock climbing taster day.
Health benefits of Walking
‘If a medication existed which had a similar effect to physical activity [like walking], it would be regarded as a “wonder drug” or a “miracle cure”’(England’s Chief Medical Officer 2010).
Walking is something that almost anyone can do; the physical and mental health benefits are numerous
Regular brisk or hill walking will
Improve performance of the heart, lungs and circulation
Lower blood pressure
Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and strokes
Walking regularly at any speed will
Help manage weight.
Reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes
Reduce the risk of certain cancers such colon, breast and lung cancer
Improve flexibility and strength of joints, muscles and bones, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Increase “good” cholesterol
Boost the immune system
Improve mood, reduce anxiety, aid sleep and improve self-image
Nordic Walking
Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to enhance your natural walking experience. With a technique that is similar to the upper body action of classic cross country skiing, Nordic Walking becomes a genuinely whole body exercise that can be enjoyed at many levels, from walking for health to athletic Nordic running. More than 10 million people globally enjoy this outdoor activity all year round.
Nordic Walking is a very accessible activity and something that can be shared by people of different fitness levels. It’s an ideal activity for people who haven’t exercised for a while or who dislike traditional sports or gym activities. An injured person can use the poles to support and guide, working to improve fitness as part of their rehabilitation. Athletes can use Nordic Walking for cross training and incorporate Nordic running.
Is It For Me?
Nordic Walking combines the simplicity and accessibility of walking with simultaneous core and upper body conditioning similar to Nordic skiing.
The result is a full body workout, which means that you:
burn up to 46% more calories compared to walking without poles
release tension in the neck and shoulders
improve your posture and gait
strengthen your back and abdominal muscles
reduce the impact on the joints
And because Nordic Walking doesn’t feel like hard work you’ll be happy to walk further and for longer
Rock climbing
Rock climbing used to be considered the preserve of adrenaline junkies, but in recent years it has broken into the mainstream and bouldering, lead and speed climbing will be a new feature in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
A growing number of people in search of new experiences and outdoor adventure have been getting a taste for the crag in climbing centres around the country.
Rock climbing was originally used by experienced climbers to practise skills needed for scaling difficult sections of a mountain. By the 1980s it had evolved into a globally popular leisure pursuit in its own right, practised indoors and out.
Almost anyone can rock climb. At beginner level, UProjects can cater for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Is It For Me?
Despite its image as an athletic sport, you don’t need to be super-fit to rock climb. Good technique is more important than physical strength, although the more you climb the stronger and fitter you will become. Good footwork, body positioning and problem solving will get you up many more climbs than just brute strength.
Typically, people get their first taste of rock climbing at an indoor climbing wall, UProjects qualified climbing instructors run introductory fun climbing sessions for different age groups at various climbing centres, we can provide all the equipment you need, including belaying equipment and a harness.
Keep an eye on our events pages for upcoming climbing opportunities or contact us for a bespoke climbing day for your group
UProjects Courses
We are lucky to be working in the outdoor environment and enjoy giving people positive experiences whether it be health walking or climbing mountains, however, if you want to gain confidence and become an independent outdoor enthusiast, or just learn new skills we are happy to help. We believe a friendly approach to teaching and an understanding that every person is different is essential for a positive experience.
So, what do you want to do?
Plan your own walks
Understand and visualise an Ordinance Survey map
Learn how to use a compass to find your way
Learn how to navigate properly
Feel more confident in the outdoors
Learn new outdoor skills
Stay safe on the hills
Learn skills & techniques to climb safely indoors and outdoors
UProjects offer short 1 day informal courses to give you more confidence in the outdoors, these can be booked by checking our calendar of events or we can organise bespoke courses for individuals, couples and groups.
UProjects are also registered providers of NNAS and YNSA
The National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) and the Young Navigation Star Award (YNSA) are personal performance, non-competitive, incentive schemes for all ages to learn navigation, delivered by qualified mountain leaders.
The Bronze National Navigation Award
A practical hands-on award. It is aimed at people with no navigation experience whether you are new to the outdoors or have been relying on others, guidebooks or easy well-defined routes.
The Silver National Navigation Award
Aimed to develop the navigation skills acquired at the Bronze level. It adds skills required to navigate to features and places some distance from paths and tracks. It teaches accurate compass work. It will also teach you to select the suitable navigational techniques to cross open country.
Silver National Navigation Award courses are taught in areas with access to open country and involve periods where you’ll be navigating away from paths and tracks.
Young Navigator Star Award (YNSA)
The focus of the Young Navigator Awards is to encourage exploration and journeying using simple maps such as street maps, pictorial park maps and orienteering maps. There is a gradual learning progression via One Star (bronze), Two Star (silver) and Three Star (gold) levels with certificates and badges available for achieving candidates.
The awards are aimed at all age groups and abilities. The Young Navigator Star courses are fantastic for youngsters to actively learn outside the classroom, and the Gold level is often used as a lead-in for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award.
The syllabus content is structured to allow flexible teaching approaches to suit the candidates and the type of maps available locally.
To see the full syllabus visit
www.nnas.org.uk