Outline for Gentle Walks in Gentleshaw
An eight-week project to deliver a walk and talk group for local people to support their mental health in the area around north Burntwood.
The route in Gentleshaw Common has a nice mix of light woods and grassland and is home to lots of wildlife.
The sessions will run: Tuesdays 7pm till 9pm
Start Date: 29th of July
Sponsored by: Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Burntwood Town Council
What is the service?
The goal of the project is to introduce people with mental health problems to local Walk and Talk activities that, after delivery, they can sustain themselves without further need from staff.
Over eight weeks of facilitated delivery over 2 hours a session, ten local participants will be able to:
1. Identify local walking trails that are mobility friendly and free to use.
2. Demonstrate keeping safe on the activity, including use of refreshments and appropriate clothing.
3. Use mindful practices and wellbeing techniques, be able to observe and appreciate natural processes, including local landscapes, flora and fauna, and weather sounds.
4. Build a social group of like-minded people with shared experiences to sustain the activities at the end of the project, and to learn of other parallel projects delivered locally.
5. Develop their own Recovery Plan for mental health and emotional wellbeing.
How can the service/ project be used to support mental health?
“Increased exposure to nature provides a range of benefits to promote better mental health and well-being:
Improved physical health: spending time in nature has been shown to boost immunity, increase energy levels, and improve overall well-being.
Reduced stress levels: nature can be incredibly calming and soothing, which can help to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation
Increased sense of happiness and peace: being in nature can help us connect with our surroundings and ourselves, leading to a feeling of calmness and contentment.
Better mental health: studies have shown that ecotherapy can be an effective treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.”
Who Facilitates the Project/ Service?
Lorraine Longmore – Walkgroup leader and ecotherapy
What is the time frame of Service/ Project?
July to September
When is it?
Starting Tuesday 29th July – 6pm to 8pm
What costs are involved?
The project is free to all participants
Who funds the project?
Coalfields Regeneration Trust
Do you have any outcomes or results of previous work or evaluations that are worth mentioning?
The area around Burntwood is particularly of importance to us.
We are seeing strong need for blended programmes of work in Burntwood, 67% of Community Survey respondents in Burntwood noted that physical health programmes would help their mental health. 83% Community Survey respondents in Burntwood noted that holistic therapy and mindfulness programmes would help their mental health. 83% Community Survey respondents in Burntwood noted that groups and peer support would help their mental health.
Quotes from participants or partner organisations about the Project/Service
“What we need is something to show that we [people with mental health problems] can actually do this for ourselves. We just need some guidance and some funding to get us started. We need someone to trust us.”
– GL, Mind Matters Burntwood participant, 2023.
