Sofa2Stroll+

Hello, we are Nikki & Michelle and we would like you to join us on our 'Sofa2Stroll+' walks in nature organised through the Walk Derbyshire Initiative.

We have found that being out in nature is our happy place and has in recent years been fundamental in helping us to adapt to living with our long term health conditions (Hypermobile EDS/ Postural Tachycardia Syndrome) as well as helping us to improve our mobility and exercise tolerances.

However, we both found that:

· Organised walks suitable for those returning back to exercise after being stuck on the sofa were just non existent

· The exercise support offerings provided via the NHS or Social prescribing were all indoor based

· Our motivation to walk alone was hard, too far distance wise, too fast, too hilly, feeling like your holding others back, isolating if your left behind & we sometimes felt lonely/vulnerable

Thus, our 'Sofa2Stroll+' walks are for people, who like us, who have been stuck in the house due to a health condition & want to go out regularly into nature with like-minded people.

The first location for our regular 'Sofa2Stroll+' is at the beautiful Elvaston Castle Country Park. The park has accessible flat paths, parking (including disabled), accessible toilets and places to purchase refreshments.

For further details on whether the types of terrains on our routes are suitable for your ability or mobility device, please see our Sofa2Stroll+ Facebook page for photos; https://www.facebook.com/groups/1574172316640247/

Our trained Walk Leader led strolls will be in two parts;

1: Part 1 of the Stroll (depending on how you are feeling) is up to a mile long via the walled garden where seating is available and then up to the main hall.

· There will be an option to participate in a short mindfulness in nature practice led by Nikki.

· We will include a 15-minute refreshment stop, you can either bring your own or purchase one from the cafe in the main hall.

· Benches are limited around the grounds, so if you find you need to sit frequently (Michelle does!) please remember to bring a fold up fishing or camping stool.

2: Part 2 of the stroll will commence once everyone is safely back at the original starting point. This 2nd part of the stroll is for those wanting to extend their stroll further. The distance / route will be decided on the day depending on the groups abilities and where you are in your own personal reconditioning & exercise improvement plan/goals.