In partnership with a local GP surgery, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is running weekly walks for patients referred to the programme through the surgery.
Our walking programme is based on a social, progressive model, we believe that people who walk together will have improved health outcomes.
Over the 8 weekly walks, we create the space for participants to become walking buddies, we teach a bit of basic navigation, offer help with transport (lots of help to start with, less as our walkers start to make their journeys together by public transport and car sharing) and go on lovely chatty walks.
At the end of the programme, we hope that participants will have joined together to go on regular walks together.
If you have an idea for a social prescribing project please contact us (LINK TO CONTACT US)
Scott’s story
Scott came on the first round of wellbeing walks. He had a positive experience that he wanted to share…
What difference has the team/service/visit made for you individually?
“It got me out the house, I met other people. It were fitting for me, because when I do go out, I like to go out where nature is and see things. Like rivers, mountains, wildlife. I was visiting places that I had already seen but it was good getting out with other people and having conversations, and company in nice surroundings really made a difference. I still had to come home and wait on a house list and be on my own but it got me out with other people”
Would you recommend the service to others? If so why?
“Yes, something is always better than nothing. It was easy to get there and it was easy to talk to everyone, Kiri, Simon and Claire-Marie included. It was nice to go out and see wildlife in nice locations and get away from it all. It was a release for me getting out into a nice place. The hardest part is leaving the house and getting there but once there I felt comfortable and at ease. Everyone was just nice. It gave me something to do, rather than looking at the same four walls. You don’t have to tell people about your circumstances, you just go for a walk and have a cup of tea, that’s all”
Is there anything you will do differently following your visit?
“It has made me realise that being outdoors is really good for me. I have always done it and I now know to carry on with it”
Has the visit had a positive impact on your health and well-being, and if so how?
“It helped me to get out and about and away from everyday life, getting out the house broke up the week a bit and takes my mind off everything else”