A NEW walking route aims to help newcomers discover Swindon.

Organised by Swindon City of Sanctuary, the monthly guided walks will take people to some of central Swindon’s beauty spots and historic landmarks.

Fiona Harvey, a project manager with Swindon City of Sanctuary, said: “The idea for the walks came from our chairman, Shareen Campbell. She thought it would be a great way to welcome to the community people to the community – and from all walks of life.”

Swindon City of Sanctuary is known for working with refugees and asylum seekers, who arrive in Swindon from all over the world.

But the new “Welcome Walks” were aimed at everyone, Fiona said.

She added: “There are lots of people the bigger companies bring here for work.”

The programme of monthly walks begins on Saturday, with a two hour stroll through Swindon.

Fiona said: “Starting at the train station, we’ll head through the town centre, go up to a couple of the parks, around Regent Circus and back down through the Railway Village.”

The walkers will finish at around midday in café Darkroom Espresso on Faringdon Road.

Fiona said that Swindon City of Sanctuary were keen to hear from people interested in volunteering to lead or help with the walks.

The first free Welcome Walk will start from Swindon Railway Station at 10am on Saturday, November 25.

To find out more about volunteering or to register for the walk, visit: swindon.cityofsanctuary.org/projects/welcome-walks.