A companion who shares their interests, in Warwickshire

Somewhere to go

Five miles of traffic-free walking on an old railway line

Stratford Greenway, Stratford-upon-Avon

A five mile traffic-free route along a former single track railway, running out of Stratford through open farmland with views and wildlife along the way. A carer can drive to one of the car parks, walk out as far as suits and turn back, rather than attempting the whole length.

Getting around: The county council says the Greenway is surfaced throughout and can be used by wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility scooters, though it is not tarmac and may be uneven in places.

Source: warwickshire.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Waterside walking round a reservoir near Rugby

Draycote Water, Rugby

A large Severn Trent reservoir with a five mile perimeter track, a visitor hub and open water views. A carer can park close to the hub and take the flat dam section, which avoids the sloping north shore.

Getting around: Severn Trent says the six dam paths are level tarmac and account for about two thirds of the route, with 16 disabled parking bays 30 to 50 metres from the visitor hub.

Source: stwater.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Library books brought to the door

Warwickshire Libraries run a home library service in which volunteers choose and deliver books to people who cannot get to a branch, including large print and audio titles. A carer can help register someone, note their tastes for the volunteer and keep the returns organised between visits.

Source: warwickshire.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

In the calendar

Author talks in Shakespeare's town

Stratford-upon-Avon

The Stratford Literary Festival, running since 2008, holds author talks, debates and workshops in Stratford-upon-Avon over several days each spring and again in autumn. A carer could book one daytime talk, arrange parking close by and pick up the book afterwards to read together.

Source: stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

A day at the jumps in Warwick

Warwick Racecourse, Warwick

A National Hunt course a short walk from Warwick town centre, with a parade ring, grandstand and regular fixtures through the winter and spring. A carer can book ahead, take a folding chair to the trackside area and work out a plan for which races to watch and when to sit inside.

Getting around: The course says wheelchair viewing platforms are available on both levels of the main grandstand, all bars and catering are accessible and there is step-free access throughout the trackside area.

Source: thejockeyclub.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

The building where the first rugby balls were made

Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum, Rugby

A small free museum in Rugby town centre, in the building where William Gilbert and his nephew made the first rugby footballs, opposite Rugby School. A carer can make it a short outing combined with the Webb Ellis statue and a cafe, which suits a limited stamina day.

Source: en.wikipedia.org. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Helping out at a Warwickshire nature reserve

Brandon Marsh Nature Centre, Brandon

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust takes volunteers at Brandon Marsh for visitor centre and shop roles as well as outdoor conservation work parties. A carer can help with the application, provide transport to a shift and stay nearby for the first few visits.

Source: warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Volunteering with the county library service

Warwickshire Libraries recruit volunteers for roles including the home library service, choosing and delivering books to housebound readers, and IT skills support in branches. A carer can help someone who still drives or reads widely to take on a round that fits their own week.

Source: warwickshire.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

A town photographic society with an annual exhibition

Royal Leamington Spa

Leamington Spa Photographic Society runs club competitions and puts on an annual public exhibition of members' work in the town. A carer could go along to the exhibition first, then help with getting to an evening meeting if the interest takes hold.

Source: leamingtonobserver.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Tudor house and gardens to photograph near Alcester

Coughton Court, Alcester

A National Trust Tudor house with formal gardens, a walled garden and riverside walks in the Warwickshire countryside. A carer can book mobility equipment in advance and plan a route that sticks to the step-free parts of the garden.

Getting around: The access guide says the gardens offer step-free level access into and through some areas, with manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters available to book in advance.

Source: accessable.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Lakeside fishing pegs at Kingsbury Water Park

Kingsbury

A country park of 15 lakes in over 600 acres, with surfaced paths, a cafe and fishing from marked pegs and a jetty. A carer can carry the tackle from the car park, set up at a peg near the path and sit nearby with a flask.

Getting around: The access guide notes most paths are wide enough for wheelchair users with bench seats along them, and there are fishing pegs and a jetty at the water.

Source: accessable.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Trout fishery on a Warwickshire reservoir

Draycote Water, Rugby

Draycote Water has a trout fishery alongside its sailing club, restaurant and reservoir walk, so an angler and a non-angler can both fill an afternoon. A carer can settle someone at the water then use the flat perimeter track and cafe while keeping an eye on them.

Getting around: Euan's Guide describes a relatively flat tarmac perimeter track around the reservoir, with a restaurant on site.

Source: euansguide.com. Check opening times and access before you go.