Latest news, events and opportunities from Active Connextions CIC across the North East and North Yorkshire.
25/10/26
NORTH EAST WOMEN’S WALKING FOOTBALL – WFA SUPER LEAGUE FINALS, GLOUCESTER!
What an incredible final day of the WFA Regional Super League in Gloucester this Saturday!
Our North East 40s, 50s and 60s women’s teams battled through stormy weather and strong winds, showing fantastic determination, resilience and teamwork!
17/10/26
AUTUMN THROUGH THE LENS – PRESTON PARK! 🍁
What a fantastic Walking Photography session today at Preston Park, with a great turnout of participants joining us to explore the beautiful autumn surroundings!
Today’s theme was “Autumn Mood and Reflections”, capturing the changing colours, reflections, light and hidden beauty that this wonderful season brings. 🍁🌳
It was lovely to see everyone getting creative, sharing photography tips, enjoying the outdoors and connecting with others.
Our walks are about much more than photography — they’re about improving wellbeing, staying active, building friendships and seeing familiar places through a different lens. 💚
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to Tees Valley Sport for supporting our Walking Photography programme, delivered by Active ConneXtions CIC.
13/10/26
PARKINSON’S & NEUROLOGICAL WALKING FOOTBALL – SKELTON
Another great session yesterday at Skelton Community Centre, delivered by Active ConneXtions CIC!
The session focused on passing and moving skills, encouraging players to work on their coordination, balance, movement, communication and teamwork — all while enjoying the beautiful game.
Our inclusive sessions are about much more than football. They provide opportunities to stay physically active, build confidence, make friendships and support positive mental wellbeing in a friendly, welcoming environment.
Our sessions welcome people living with Parkinson’s, neurological conditions and other mobility or balance challenges, alongside family members, friends and carers.
⚽ COME AND JOIN US!
📍 Skelton Community Centre
📅 Every Monday
⏰ 11am–12 noon
👥 All abilities welcome
Supported by experienced coaches and an occupational therapy professional through Active ConneXtions CIC.
09/10/26
FEEL GOOD IN THE FOREST – GUISBOROUGH FOREST!
What a fantastic morning at Guisborough Forest today, a bit wet with the weather but it didn’t stop us! With over 11 people joining us for our Walking Photography session as part of the Feel Good in the Forest programme, delivered by Active ConneXtions CIC in partnership with Forestry England.
It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the fresh air, connecting with nature, learning new photography skills and sharing the experience with others.
Our walks are about much more than taking photographs. They encourage physical activity, creativity, social connections and positive mental wellbeing, while helping people discover the beauty of nature through a different lens.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us today and to Forestry England for their continued partnership.
COME AND JOIN OUR NEXT FREE WALKS!
Friday 13th November
Friday 11th December 10:30am–12:30pm
Guisborough Forest – Meet at the Railway Carriage
Just bring your camera or smartphone. Everyone is welcome!
📧 janette@activeconnextions.com
📞 07508 409622
05/10/26
NORTH EAST WOMEN’S WALKING FOOTBALL – WFA SUPER CUP READY!
Another fantastic North East Ladies Walking Football training day as our squads continue preparing for the WFA Regional Super Cup fixtures in Gloucester on Saturday 24th October.
After months of training together, there’s just one final session to go before the big day! It’s been brilliant to see the commitment, friendships and team spirit grow alongside the football.
The hard work has been done – now it’s about enjoying that final session, supporting each other and heading to Gloucester ready to represent the North East with pride.
Good luck to every one of our players – enjoy the experience and give it everything!
Thanks to Sport England for your sponsorship and to The Walking Football Association for inviting us in your league this 1st year.
A massive thank you to all my Team of coaches referees and Simon Thurlow Photography for your great documentary photography and videos throughout this journey.
A big thank you to Middlesbrough Sports Village.
01/10/26
Why We Love Walking Photography
A short film featuring the participants sharing their personal reflections on the benefits to their health and wellbeing since attending our walking photography sessions across the Tees Valley
New walking photography sessions weekly.
Check out the walking photography page on the website.
Walking Photography across the Tees Valley in partnership with Tees Valley Sport.
30/09/26
Darlington Walking Photography – Regeneration Meets Heritage
Yesterday our Active ConneXtions CIC Walking Photography group explored Darlington with a fantastic theme – Regeneration alongside Heritage.
We started at Darlington Station, where participants photographed both the old and new parts of the station, looking at how modern regeneration can sit alongside and celebrate the town’s railway heritage.
From there, we headed out into Darlington town centre, using our cameras and smartphones to look more closely at the buildings, architecture and changing face of the town. It was a great opportunity to think about how Darlington’s past is being preserved while the town continues to develop for the future.
Walking photography is about much more than taking a photograph – it encourages us to get active, slow down, notice our surroundings, learn new creative skills and connect with the places where we live.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us and to Tees Valley Sport for working in partnership with Active ConneXtions to make these community walking photography sessions possible. 📷🚶♀️🌿
Come join us on our next walk we will be in a town near you.
28/09/26
The Active Connextions Northern Walking Football League.
It was the final day of our Active Connextions Northern Walking Football League this weekend.
Over one hundred players competed every month from March until September. Run by our Director, Janette Hynes-Thurlow MBE, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Over the season we have watched the football develop, but just as importantly we have seen friendships grow, new connections form and a real walking football community develop. Players and teams have travelled from across the region to compete, catch up with old friends and make new ones.
The presentations were made afterwards inside the Middlesbrough Sports Village.
The league has always been about creating an environment where people can stay active, compete, enjoy football and feel part of something. The friendly rivalry on the pitch and the laughter and conversations off it are what make the Northern Summer League so special.
🏆 Women’s League Champions – Workington St Joseph’s
🏆 Men’s League Champions – Wansbeck Wanderers A
Our gratitude to all the teams, coaches, referees and supporters for making this league a fun and enjoyable experience.
The trophies may have been won, but for us one of the biggest successes has been seeing the friendships, confidence and sense of belonging that have developed along the way. See you all next year.
Sponsored Sport England, North Riding County Football Association, Co-op.
Supported by The Walking Football Association, Middlesbrough Sports Village.
26/09/26
FREE Walking Photography Walk – in Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Thank you all for joining Active ConneXtions CIC for a relaxed walking photography adventure through the heart of Middlesbrough yesterday!
We started at MIMA, and walked towards the iconic Transporter Bridge, stopping to discover and photograph some of Middlesbrough’s fascinating historic buildings and hidden details along the way.
We finished back at MIMA with a visit to the Turner Prize exhibition — a great combination of walking, photography, local history, art and good company.
📱 No fancy camera needed – smartphones were welcome!
🌿 Get active • Get creative • Connect with your community
Join us for our next FREE Darlington Walking Photography Walk on Tuesday 29 th September ! 📷🚶♀️
Come along, meet new people, explore Darlington and discover just how creative you can be with a camera or smartphone.
FREE – but places must be booked in advance.
📧 janette@activeconnextions.com
📞 07508 409622
21/09/26 Skelton Parkinson’s and Neurological Walking Football Club
A wonderful morning session at Skelton at our Parkinson’s and neurological walking football training. Janette Hynes MBE, combining her skills as a UEFA Coach and Consultant Occupational Therapist, structured the training to balance and coordination.
11:00 – 12:30 each Monday, including refreshments afterwards, taking place at the Skelton Youth and Community Centre. Get in touch to join us – it’s more than football, we are a community.
11/09/26 Walking Photography – Guisborough Forest.
What a fantastic day we had at Guisborough Forest, delivering another of our Active ConneXtions walking photography sessions with Forestry England feel good in the forest project.
These walks are about so much more than taking photographs. They encourage people to slow down, notice what is around them, get active outdoors and develop a stronger connection with nature — while learning how to get the best from the camera they already carry in their pocket.
One participant summed up the impact beautifully,
“I can’t believe what my mobile phone can do in taking a great photo! Since taking part, I connect more with nature. Now when I go for a walk, I’ll look more, notice more and connect more with what’s around me. Thank you — I loved this amazing walk.”
This is exactly what our walking photography programme is about: movement, creativity, wellbeing, learning new skills and connecting people with the natural environment.
A huge thank you to Forestry England and everyone who joined us at Guisborough Forest today.
Join our next walk in the forest on the 9th October book your place.
06/09/26 NORTH EAST WOMEN — GLOUCESTER, HERE WE COME!
Another fantastic training session with our North East Women’s Walking Football squads, as preparations continue for the WFA Super Cup Final League Games in Gloucester on 24th October.
The hard work continues — developing our team play, building confidence, supporting each other and, most importantly, enjoying our football together.
It’s brilliant to see women from across the North East coming together, competing, making friendships and showing that there are opportunities to keep playing and progressing in football at every age.
We’re proud of how far this group has come — now it’s time to keep working and get ready for Gloucester!
03/09/26 The Janette Hynes MBE Women’s Walking Football Academy
The Janette Hynes MBE Women’s Walking Football Academy offers women aged 18–80 the opportunity to have fun, get active and develop new walking-football skills in a friendly and supportive environment.
Sessions are led by former professional footballer, UEFA coach and WFA North East Regional Manager Janette Hynes MBE.
📍 Middlesbrough Sports Village
🕕 6:00–7:00 pm
💷 £5 per session
Upcoming dates:
• 4 September
• 2 October
• 6 November
• 20 November
• 4 December
Hearing-impaired inclusive sessions
01/09/26 Staithes Walking Photography Session
Join Active Connextions CIC for a relaxed photography walk around the historic fishing village of Staithes.
26/08/26 North Yorkshire Walking Photography Sessions
Join us for a relaxing walking photography session at various locations throughout North Yorkshire this autumn.
Whether you are an experienced photographer or just starting out, these walks are perfect for all abilities.
These relaxed, friendly walking sessions encourage you to slow down, notice your surroundings and capture the landscape in your own creative way.
24/08/26 Tees Valley September Walking Photography
Our guided Tees Valley walking photography sessions have been a wonderful success in August. New dates now available to book for the September sessions.
24/08/26 Walking Photography Guisborough Forest
We are pleased to be working alongside Forestry England at Guisborough Forest and Branch Walkway for a third consecutive season of walking photography, as part of their Feel Good in the Forest programme.
Taking place on the second Friday of each month, connect with nature and improve your photography skills, whilst enjoying spending time with a small, friendly group of like-minded photographers.
Whether you are an experienced photographer or a beginner, our professional photographer Simon Thurlow will be joining us to help you with your camera or smartphone. Cameras will be available for you to use
19/08/26 Guided Walking Photography – Darlington
Get in touch to enjoy a wellbeing walking photography session around South Park, the oldest public park in the North East of England.
Contact janette@activeconnextions.com
19/08/26 Tees Valley Walking Photography
A short film featuring participants sharing the benefits of attending our walking photography sessions across the Tees Valley.
17/08/26 The Janette Hynes MBE Academy
Come and have fun, get fit and learn new walking football skills.
16/08/26 WFA North East Women’s Team Walking Football Training Session
Another training session for the North East Women in preparation for the next Walking Football Association’s Super League Cup.
Throughout the session Janette worked on attacking and defending drills.
Assistant coach Elliot helped with goalkeeping training.
Players from Middlesbrough, Northumberland, Newcastle, Carlisle and beyond, made the journey down to the Middlesbrough Sports Village.
Working towards the last league games in Gloucester in October. Professional referee Andy officiated everyone in a practice match.
12/08/26 Introductory Writing Course For Children’s TV
Middlesbrough Central Library
12th September 2 – 4 pm
We are delighted to offer this unique opportunity to discover how to write and create characters for children’s television.
Hosted by Middlesbrough writer Peter Hynes.
Peter has over 30 years’ experience of writing, creating and developing series for children’s television, including Balamory, Molly and Mack, Dennis and Gnasher, The Wombles and many more.
Limited places available so booking essential.
11/08/26 Walking Photography – Middlesbrough
A wonderful session of walking photography capturing images with the theme Regeneration Alongside.
Towns are in constant transition. Middlesbrough’s regeneration has a connection to its industrial past.
We started at MIMA, finishing in the grounds of the university. Everyone enjoyed capturing those echoes of the past, alongside Middlesbrough’s regeneration.
04/08/26 Guided Walking Photography – Middlesbrough’s Heritage
Join us for a free guided photography walk, with a chance to capture Middlesbrough’s heritage. Bring along your camera or smartphone and develop your photographic creativity and wellbeing with a friendly, like-minded group.
Get in touch to book your free place.
Contact janette@activeconnextions.com
04/08/26 Stockton-on-Tees Urban Regeneration Walking Photography
Another wonderful walking photography session around Stockton-on-Tees. The theme was urban regeneration, but as always, our photography walks are designed to develop individual creativity, so the subject matter is fluid not restricted.
These walking photography sessions are in partnership with Active Connextions CIC and Tees Valley Sport.
28/07/26 Urban Regeneration Walking Photography – Stockton-on-Tees
Join us for a free guided photography walk. This will be a chance to capture images of the urban regeneration around Stockton-on-Tees riverside.
Get in touch to book your free place.
Contact janette@activeconnextions.com
28/07/26 Coastal and Nature Walking Photography – Coatham Sands – Redcar
A successful start to the walking photography partnership with Tees Valley Sport.
This was a chance for everyone to enjoy the beautiful summer sunshine, capturing images of nature and the coastline along the beach and dunes at Coatham Sands, Redcar.
27/07/26 Active Connextions Northern Walking Football League
Another great turnout of all the walking football players from across the North East, who attended the Active Connextions Summer Walking Football League!
Teams from Middlesbrough, Durham, Newcastle, York, Carlisle and Northumberland enjoying the amazing game of walking football!! Held at Middlesbrough Sports Village on the last Sunday of every month.
Thanks to teams and supporters for attending. Some great talent displayed and most of all lots of fun laughter and friendship!! Thank you to our amazing WFA referees. Next Active Connextions Summer League games 23/08/26.
20/07/26 WFA Super Cup North East Women
Fantastic success at the WFA Regional Super Cup league games in Gloucester at the weekend!
Our North East regional women’s teams 60s, 50s, 40s attended – led by our regional manager Janette Hynes MBE and her coaching team!!
What amazing walking football skills were on show, from all the teams so proud of everyone who attended a very hot day it was!
Thank you to Stuart Langworthy and his amazing staff.
From the England team managers to the match officials and all the supporters, players, team managers and coaches. What great team spirit and commitment by everyone involved.
13/07/26 Tees Valley Walking Photography
We are pleased to be partnering with Tees Valley Sport, to develop and deliver a six month Walking Photography and Wellbeing Programme across Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees, Hartlepool and Darlington.
The project combines physical activity, creativity, social connection and mental wellbeing, while creating an authentic representation of communities across the Tees Valley.
Get in touch to book your free place
janette@activeconnextions.com
01/07/26 Northallerton Guided Photography Walk
Develop your photographic creativity and wellbeing. Book your place to join Active Connextions CIC on a photography walk along the high street, capturing the everyday moments and details through your lens. Starting at the town hall and finishing at the train station.
Pickering Guided Photography Walk
28/06/26 Northern Walking Football League Round 4
Another successful day for our Northern Walking Football league at The Middlesbrough Sports Village.
Teams from Northumberland, Cumbria, Newcastle, Middlesbrough and North Yorkshire competed in the fourth round of the league.
25/06/26 Midsummer Art and Photography In Nature Session
A great success at our midsummer walking photography and art walks yesterday in Guisborough Forest.
It was a hot day but we managed to stay cool under the trees on the walkway.
More mindful art and photography walks will be coming soon.
Our exhibition is still up in the visitors centre, go and view the amazing photographs from our attendees.
Thanks to our sponsor for these sessions Two Ridings Community Foundation.
19/06/26 WFA Referees’ Course Middlesbrough
Working in partnership with the Walking Football Association, our Director and the WFA’s North East Regional Women’s Walking Football Coach and Manager Janette Hynes MBE, hosted a referees’ training course at the Middlesbrough Sports Village.
So many times we hear of a shortage of qualified referees in the North for leagues and tournaments.
Below is a short film of the day with stories from the people who embraced this fantastic opportunity to become a qualified walking football referee.
12/06/26 Midsummer Art and Photography in Nature Sessions.
Enjoy a mindful art session, whilst connecting with nature amongst the beautiful surroundings of Guisborough Forest.
Learn from artist Janette Hynes MBE. Janette worked in the movie and television industry as an animator for Warner Brothers and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin.
Or develop your creative-photography skills, during a short photography walk along an accessible route in Guisborough Forest. Bring along your camera or smartphone and enjoy a safe and fun walk with other photographers. Professional photographer Simon Thurlow will be joining the walk to assist you.
Art materials and refreshments supplied.
Get Active! Get Creative! Get Connected!
07/06/26 WFA North East Women’s Training Session
A fantastic Walking Football Association’s North East Women‘s regional training session at the Middlesbrough Sports Village. Our Director, Janette Hynes MBE, in her role as The WFA’s North East Women’s Manager and Coach, prepared the footballers, along with help from coaching staff and referees Andy and Monty, for the forthcoming WFA Super Cup in July.
31/05/26 Northern Walking Football League Round 3
The third of our Northern Walking Football League meetings at The Middlesbrough Sports Village. We are building a wonderful community of walking football in the North East. Thank you to the players, supporters, coaching staff and referees from across the North, for an incredible day of sporting fun.
29/05/26 Autumn and Winter Wellbeing Through Nature Photography Walks
A behind the scenes look at our Autumn and Winter Wellbeing Through Nature Photography Walks. Hear what the photographers say are the physical and mental health benefits of attending the walks. More are planned, so get in touch to be the first to hear when they will be taking place. With support from the Community Development Fund from Broadacres Housing Association, making the walks accessible for everyone.
17/05/26 WFA North East Women’s Gloucester Super Cup
A fantastic turnout for our very first North East regional women’s walking footballers teams. The 40s, 50s and 60s women played in the first round of the Walking Football Association’s Super League Cup in Gloucester. Wonderful performances by everyone, plus one of our 50s players was selected to train with the England team, by the England manager. Players travelled from Northumberland, Newcastle, Carlisle, Durham, Middlesbrough and North Yorkshire. The kit was kindly sponsored by The Digital Lighthouse.
15/05/26 Green Health Routes Photography Walks
We have been working in partneship with Creative Frame CIC, Forestry England and The Centre for Sustainable Health. The North East Green Health Routes are devised by local councils, healthcare centres and GP practices to connect locals to their immediate surroundings. This short film is underscored with the accounts of the participants, explaining the health and wellbeing benefits of attending our photography walks along these routes.
10/05/26 North East Women’s Regional Team BBC News
A behind the scenes look at our North-East Women’s walking football training session on the BBC News website today. Run by our director Janette Hynes Mbe and her assistant coaching staff and refereeing team. Janette is a former-professional footballer, UEFA coach and WFA North East regional manager. Featuring stories from the footballers, highlighting the opportunities of attending these sessions, plus looking forward representing the North East in the WFA Super Cup.
01/05/26 Janette Hynes MBE Women’s Walking Football Training Session
The next Janette Hynes MBE Women’s Walking Football Academy skills sessions are announced.
26/04/26 Northern Walking Football League Round 2
The second of the Northern Walking Football League games of 2026. We invited over one hundred footballers from teams across the North East of England to take part. A great success, played at The Middlesbrough Sports Village on the final Sunday of each month throughout 2026. Photographs by Simon Thurlow.
24/04/26 Spring Walking Photography
The final of the spring walking photography sessions around Guisborough in North Yorkshire. Working in partneship with Creative Frame CIC, Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and Forestry England. These are Green Health Routes developed by The NHS Forest programme and Forestry England’s Feel Good in The Forest activities, in collaboration with GPs, councils and social prescribers, to help connect the residents and patients with green spaces.
04/03/26 Stokesley Walking Football Club
The final week indoors at Stokesley Walking Football Club. From 11th March we’ll will be training and playing on the all weather pitch at Stokesley Leisure Centre, Wednesday 6 – 7pm.
15/02/2026 Snowdrop Photography Walk
The weather didn’t dampen our snowdrop walking photography session at Gisborough Priory today. A warm drink from the priory volunteers helped too. Part of the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare’s local Green Health Routes walks which we are running for them along with Creative Frame CIC.
16/01/26 Walking Photography – Middlesbrough
A wonderful walking photography session looking at and photographing the heritage buildings of Middlesbrough. Keep up to date with new photography walks advertised on the news page.
12/11/25 Stokesley Walking Football Club Awards
Stokesley Walking Football Club awards night. With thanks to the Brass Monkey in Stokesley for hosting us. Awards included players’ player, most improved, outstanding achievement and club ambassador.
