Oh hey, it's me – Katy P – setting off on another silly adventure of my own design. I'll be walking 100 miles from Monday 10 March, starting on the River Goyt in New Mills, following it to the Mersey and onwards to the sea before turning north up the coast.
As always I'm taking you along for the ride, and raising funds and awareness for a cause close to my heart.
About Rock Mill Centre:
Rock Mill is a community and visitor centre in the centre of New Mills, founded in the summer of 2022, and is run by a dedicated team of volunteers.
It's a place built by people for people. By working with the local community, the Centre provides a space where people can spend time together, share local knowledge and adapt to global challenges together.
That means they do a huge range of things to support and look after the community and visitors – whether it's needing a brew while waiting for a bus, tourist information about New Mills and the surrounding Peak District, supporting local artists, recharging after a walk with gorgeous snacks, a warm space with the most excellent of soup, educating people on the local environment and so much more.
Rock Mill does it all – and much of it for free.
To be financially sustainable in the long run, and like so many much needed spaces like this, we always need more grants, funds and community support.
Me and Rock Mill:
I moved to New Mills in September 2022 and found myself alone in a new town after my 10-year relationship ended. I knew no one in the local area but had already fallen for New Mills enough that I wanted to start again here. In November 2022 I went to my first volunteers meeting to support the Centre staying open as a warm space for those that needed it, and the rest is history.
I met people that have accepted me for all that I am in a very difficult time in my life, I meet so many incredible people – whether they're visitors or life-long residents – and it's always, always a safe, welcoming place to be.
Without Rock Mill, I wouldn't have the community I have around me now. I've put down roots, I now call this place my home and have people I consider family around me that have seen me through the darkest of times. It's all thanks to the connections I first made at Rock Mill, and this is the least I can do to say thank you.
It's not just about me:
That's just my story. There are thousands of other stories of connection thanks to the Centre. So many beautiful things have been made possible because of what they do, it's truly a place that connects you to New Mills and to the community.
Lastly, thank you
Thank you to Toby for his vision and kindness, thank you to everyone I volunteer with for supporting me, and thank YOU for reading this far. Don't forget you can follow my progress over on Instagram (link above).
And thank you, thank you, thank you for me and all who run Rock Mill for the donation you've made or about to make. Know that it's so appreciated.