It’s a drizzly day, but that doesn’t dampen the spirits of the Wednesday walkers as they arrive in our Chandler’s Ford support centre for their weekly stroll.
Donna and her team at the centre have seen the walking group grow in popularity over recent months, particularly among men. Volunteer, Sarah, believes it’s because the group is informal:
“Taking the first steps to accessing cancer support can be daunting and a bit intimidating if you’re not sure what to expect,” she explains. “With the walking group, everyone is included straight away and it can feel more relaxed when you’re out and about. It’s not a therapy session; the focus is on walking, so you can chat informally and yet still feel supported.”
First to arrive is David, who’s had prostate cancer.
“I’ve been coming for about a year now,” he says. “I enjoy the walking group because it’s nice to have a focus to the week when you know you can get out and about and be with others. The walks are always well planned, manageable and gentle.”
How are walking groups beneficial if you have cancer?
“There’s lots of evidence to shows that they have wide-ranging benefits and are a safe way to get back into gentle exercise,” says Donna, the manager of our Chandler’s Ford support centre, “and there are proven benefits to being outdoors and connecting with others and nature, which can have a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing. The ethos of our walking group is that it’s welcoming, easy and accessible to anyone – whether you’re joining for your first or 100th time. Clients may be recently diagnosed, having treatment or recovering from cancer, or they could be supporting someone with cancer, or bereaved. Everyone’s experience is unique and if you’ve got lots going on practically and emotionally, you might not know how you’re going to be from one week to the next. It’s important that our walkers know there’s no pressure. Everyone who comes along knows that they can dip in ad out, depending on what they’ve got going on at home.”
The walkers go for a gentle, hour-long stroll and take a different three to four kilometre route around the local area each week, which is planned and led by our volunteers, Marion and Sarah.
Gareth supported his wife through her cancer diagnosis. They enjoyed walking together and after she died he found that the group gave him structure and a purpose to his week, without being too full-on.
He says: “I enjoy the group because you’re with people who can understand what you’re going through, and that means a lot.”
Phil was diagnosed with cancer at the end of 2024 and got in touch because he started to feel anxious. He says that he finds the walking group a good distraction and, although he found it a bit daunting taking the first steps to accessing support, he finds everyone very supportive and understanding.
Anyone is welcome
As long as you can stroll gently for an hour, have a reasonable pair of shoes and are prepared for the weather, you’re very welcome to join the Chandler’s Ford weekly walkers. And there’s always cake and a hot drink waiting for you when you’ve finished your stroll!
As well as Chandler’s Ford, walking groups take place from our Bournemouth and Waterside centres.
Please get in touch if you’d like an informal chat about our walking groups.
Click here to find the details of our centres