14 May 2024
Healthy Walks – Elizabeth
“The social side of walking has been just as important for my wellbeing as the walk itself” says Walk Leader Elizabeth. Before volunteering to lead our walks, 62-year-old Elizabeth regularly participated in them.
Elizabeth on a recent holiday
In 2019, Elizabeth suffered with debilitating anxiety. She found it extremely difficult to leave the house or socialise with friends.
Following her doctor’s recommendation Elizabeth started walking around Fareham, her local area. It was on a walk, she picked up a leaflet advertising Healthy Walks.
“I pushed myself to do that first walk in Warsash and am glad I did. I met Vanessa, the Walk Leader and she was a listening ear while I offloaded my stress and worries!
“There was only five or six of us in the group and we gradually felt comfortable opening up to one another about our mental wellbeing.”
From then on, Elizabeth frequently participated in Fareham Healthy Walks and “discovered paths and routes I didn’t know existed!”
“I love getting to know the other walkers and leaders. Maurice is now a great example, aged in his 80s, he’s leading walks and knows everything about the area. I still attend his walks, despite now being a leader myself!”
“During the Covid pandemic I continued walking on my own, as I saw such a significant improvement in my mental health. Along with counselling, walking has been a godsend.”
A group of Fareham Healthy Walkers without a care at all for the wet weather!
In 2022, Elizabeth recommended her husband, Martin, join Healthy Walks to help him settle into retirement. They regularly went out together and on their own and enjoyed the sense of purpose it gave them.
Retired teacher Elizabeth received an email from Community First advertising Walk Leader training and decided to put herself and Martin forward.
“As a teacher I enjoy being in a leadership role, and we’ve both met lovely Walk Leaders that it seemed like something we would enjoy doing.”
To become Walk Leaders, Elizabeth and Martin attended training in Lyndhurst, which involved group work, role play, risk assessment and health and safety training.
“Once a month we lead a group on a 60-minute, 90-minute or two-hour walk. I often have one-to-one chats with walkers and feel honoured that they trust me.
“I try to do the same for them as other Walk Leaders did for me, as I know how much better it can make you feel talking to someone and having them listen to you.
“Since starting my Healthy Walks journey, my anxiety has gone. I highly recommend anyone, no matter their age, join a walking group in their community.”