St Elizabeth Hospice's bereavement support walking group, Walk On, is marking its third anniversary this month. Since its launch in September 2021, the group has covered 7,500 miles and consumed over 1,700 pieces of cake.
The big picture: Walk On was created by hospice volunteer Dennis Tattoo and his wife Sarah, working with the charity's LivingGrief bereavement support service. It aims to help bereaved individuals meet new people, share experiences, and support each other while enjoying the outdoors.
Why it matters: Bereavement can be an isolating experience. Walk On provides a supportive community for those grieving, combining physical activity with social connection.
By the numbers:
Over 90 walks have taken place since September 2021
Typical attendance ranges from 10 to 25 people per walk
The group has taken an estimated 15 million steps
Participants have consumed over 2,000 hot drinks
Where they walk: The group explores various locations in Suffolk, but locations are always within a short drive of Ipswich.
What they're saying: Dennis Tattoo, Walk On founder and hospice volunteer, said: "It has been fantastic to be part of Walk On and to see it evolve over the last few years.
We have met many new faces, made new friends and have enjoyed lots of lovely walks in the Suffolk countryside, sharing conversations about life and experiences of bereavement, while supporting one another in the process."
Robin Moss has been attending Walk On groups since 2022. He said, “I heard about Walk On via the hospice’s LivingGrief service and have found Walk On to be very beneficial.
“I enjoy being active and Walk On has helped me meet new people who are living through similar experiences to me."
The bottom line: Walk On demonstrates how combining physical activity, social connection, and shared experiences can support those navigating grief, and the group's success over three years proves the ongoing need for such initiatives in the community.
How to get involved: Head over to https://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/walk-on for more information on taking part and a list of upcoming walks. The next walk is at Alton Water on Saturday 21st September.
