A Walking Group delivered by Care Plus Group’s Adult Autism Service and Faraway has gained recognition by the Wildlife Trust, Mountain Equipment and local autistic people for its therapeutic approach to exercise, exploration and nature preservation.
Since February, Steve Sylvan, Specialist Therapist for Care Plus Group’s Adult Autism Service and qualified mountain leader, leads a keen group of ramblers on monthly walking therapy sessions at Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber. This group enjoy 10 – 13km walks across a range of different locales that focus on reducing social isolation, developing self-confidence and also monitoring the nature within the reserves. It has been found, by many in professionals in the health and social care field, that there are many positive effects of being outdoors and can improve your mental health and well-being.
With his experience as a mountain leader and previous work with the Peak District Park Rangers, Steve saw the therapeutic benefits of taking long walks as a group and felt it would be a great activity for autistic people in the community. After a successful pilot group, they have been walking every month and enjoying all the health and wellbeing benefits.
The Wildlife Trust, a charity that looks after more than 2,300 nature reserves, recognised the group and offered guided tours around the reserves and volunteering time to help with the running of the group.
Mountain Equipment, Specialist manufacturers of technical outdoor clothing and equipment, noticed the Walking Group and donated: 40 waterproof specialist jackets, 20 Gore-tex gloves and 20 walking trousers to be used on future hikes and walks.
Now, the Walking Group has secured Green Social Prescribing funding to buy gear to help monitor nature, including: Bug sweeping kits, binoculars, bird spotting kits as well as providing useful gear for Faraway’s Allotment Group.
The feedback for the Walking Group has been glowing:
“I had a really good time today I feel like I got a lot out of it, I got out and was comfortable in the group and even talked more than I’m usually able to. I’d 100% do it again.”
“Thanks for the walk today. I admit I was very anxious beforehand – probably why I had asked questions you had already answered. It wasn’t easy walking with people I don’t know but it was good there was no pressure to talk.”
Want to join the Walking Group?
Contact us on cpg.aas@nhs.net
Find out more about Activities and Groups for autistic adults by visiting https://careplusgroup.org/aascalendar/
