Highland Hospice is launching a new initiative, Taking Steps, which offers gentle yet brisk health and wellbeing walks among a friendly and supportive group of people who have all recently experienced the loss of someone they love.
The group does not offer formal bereavement support but is supported by trained walk leaders from Highland Hospice. People are welcome to join the group during the first year or so following their bereavement, and it is not necessary to have had any previous contact with Highland Hospice. All walkers in the group are ‘in the same boat;’ giving the opportunity to walk in companiable silence, to chat with others who have similar experiences, or a mixture of both.
Simon Spence, Highland Hospice Bereavement Services Team member said, “When you are grieving, it can be difficult to find motivation to get outside and exercise, even if you want to and believe it’s a good thing to do. Finding sustainable ways to look after your general health and wellbeing can be an important part of grieving, and it is increasingly recognised that being active in green spaces has wide ranging benefits.”
He added, “We are working on this in partnership with Step It Up Highland, a health walk initiative which aims to promote walking and its benefits to people from all walks of life. It is our hope that once people progress from our ‘Taking Steps’ group, they may choose to continue walking through Step It Up Highland.”
The group is set to launch on May 1st when the first meet-up will take place. It will then meet regularly in central Inverness, offering gentle and accessible walks including Whin Park, River Ness and its islands, and along the Caledonian Canal towpath. The walks are no longer than an hour, and everyone is welcome, whatever their level of walking ability.
Following the walk, participants are invited to join for refreshments and more company and conversation at a nearby café. The walks are free of charge, but people should bring money if they wish any refreshments afterwards.
For more information and to register, please contact Simon Spence at Highland Hospice Bereavement Services on 01463 227901
