18 May 2024
Healthy Walks – Neil
“I found out about Healthy Walks by accident, when I spotted the group meeting” says Neil.
After suffering with depression in 2007, 73-year-old Neil started walking to get outside and practice mindfulness.
“It’s amazing the effect the fresh air and sun can have on us, even on a cloudy day. Walking helped reduce my negative thoughts as I would focus on what I could see and hear around me.
“After being made redundant and taking early retirement, I found walking helped reduce stress and I came back from each walk calm and happier.”
Neil has participated in weekly Healthy Walks, run by Community First trained Volunteer Walk Leaders, ever since he spotted the group.
“I’m not a sociable person but walking with others has helped me to meet like-minded people and we enjoy a good chat on route!
“I’ve met many great people that have become more than acquaintances. I always have good chats with a visually impaired lady.
“Others in the group are retired like me, or independent young people. While walking, we talk about our week and how we feel. We usually end the walk sitting in a café with a hot drink!”
When lockdown hit one of the positives that many of us experienced, including Neil, was the joy of walking and the benefit it has on our mental health.
Neil, undeterred by the pandemic, carried on walking on his own. He went for long walks in the morning and met with the group in the afternoon.
Post pandemic he was able to re-join Healthy Walks – “What I love most about walking is not only the people I meet, but the sea air, colourful sky and the view – it’s never the same twice! I see something different every week.”
Neil joins around 25-30 walkers each week, with four leaders, and they walk an average of 3 miles.
“If the Healthy Walks groups didn’t exist, I would still be walking on my own, but I wouldn’t get the social interaction and friendly chat that I do with the group, that really helps to clear my mind.”