THE Hiking Household, Cumbria’s go-to walking resource for families, has taken a huge step forward after appointing two new directors and securing Community Interest Company (CIC) status.

The move marks an important milestone for founder Laura Earl, who started the initiative in 2020 from her home near Carlisle.

Laura, 33, explains: “I launched the Hiking Household on Instagram, as the county emerged from the first lockdown. 

“My aim was simply to share our favourite family walks with other parents in the area. 

“As a mum of four children aged 5 and under, I understood how desperate families were to get outside and active, and I wanted to help by providing some fresh ideas for parents and carers. 

“The reaction was incredibly positive and demonstrated a huge demand for the kind of content I was offering. 

“Since then, I have launched a website detailing hundreds of family friendly walks in Cumbria, as well as running regular Tikes Hikes pop up walking groups for parents with babies and toddlers.

 

News and Star: WALK: Laura hosts Tikes Hikes events, for parents to take their toddlersWALK: Laura hosts Tikes Hikes events, for parents to take their toddlers

 

“Registering as a CIC is the first step in our plan for scaling up what The Hiking Household can offer children and families in Cumbria. 

“We’re on a mission to help families across Cumbria to live their most healthy and happy lives - one walk at a time!

“We want to reach families who might, for many reasons, be less active, and help them to reap the huge health and wellbeing benefits of getting outside and moving."

A Community Interest Company is a special type of limited company that exists to benefit the community, rather than private shareholders. 

Scaling up The Hiking Household operations in this way is important to Laura.

She added: “Becoming a CIC is a statement that The Hiking Household really means business when it comes to the health and wellbeing of children in Cumbria.”

Laura has welcomed onboard two new directors and a Media and Marketing Coordinator to help accelerate The Hiking Household’s growth.

 

News and Star: EXPAND: Hiking Household have appointed two new Directors and a Media and Marketing Coordinator EXPAND: Hiking Household have appointed two new Directors and a Media and Marketing Coordinator

 

She added: “Our small but supportive team are all passionate about The Hiking Household vision. 

“We are all parents to young children and that brings a real level of understanding to all of our decision making.”