Bracknell Walking and Wellbeing Group
More than just a walk in the park.
Launched in 2023, Bracknell Walking and Wellbeing Group sees adults with learning disabilities meet up with our Community Dog team to explore woodland trails and public parks.
Group members, our Community Dogs and their specialist handlers meet up twice a month and typically go for a 40-minute walk in areas in Bracknell, as well as taking part in indoor activities when the weather is bad.
The walking group is part of wider work we have been doing in Bracknell since 2022 to develop our service delivery in a community area. This project has been specifically designed by working with and gaining a deep understanding of the local community’s needs.
Activities are carefully created by our Community Dog team to be safe and enjoyable for both people and dogs and the outside walks include treasure hunts, hide and seek games and a pop-up agility course.
The group aims to:
- Increase confidence to go out into the community amongst the adults who attend
- Promote a sense of community, encourage social interaction and a sense of fun and enjoyment from being together
- Improve health outcomes and wellbeing through being outdoors and physical exercise
Community Dog handler Lucy, who works with two specially trained dogs Lexi and Ned, devised the walking group activities along with her colleague Hayley.
“Lexi and Ned have very different personalities but are both ideally suited to this work,” explains Lucy. “Ned is a super affectionate, laidback boy who loves nothing more than having a bit of fuss and meeting new people, while Lexi is very active, extremely clever and loves to be doing something. In fact, if there’s something that needs doing, Lexi’s right at the front with her paw in the air!"
The people in the group enjoy being with both dogs and take pride in remembering the differences between them both. This then translates into a deeper understanding of the differences we all have.
During treasure hunts, group members have fun finding various objects along the woodland walk. This could be spotting a duck on the lake, a fountain, a bridge or an animal carved into a fallen tree.
Hayley explains: "They each have a list and with the help of Ned will find each carving or item and tick them off the list. It’s great fun for everyone, promotes teamwork but also sparks a sense of adventure with some people able to confidently seek things out for themselves, where perhaps they’d have lacked confidence previously.
“Hide and seek is something Ned absolutely loves,” laughs Hayley. “People in the group will distract him while one of them goes and hides a small soft toy behind a tree or in a pile of leaves. Then everyone encourages Ned to find it and of course when he does, everyone praises him, and he’s absolutely delighted with himself! The activity promotes self-confidence and communicating with Ned and each other.”
Ahead of an agility session, everyone in the group helps to set the course up - which promotes teamwork and interacting with each other. Once the course is set up, Ned is then ready for the off and encouraged to jump the jumps and go through the tunnel.
“Some people like to stand at the start of the course or the end, and some like to man particular pieces of equipment, but what they all like to do is encourage Ned to ‘jump!’” says Hayley.
Of course, sometimes Ned likes to go off piste and swerve round a jump at the last minute or even ignore the tunnel completely - which is very funny and shows everyone that doing your own thing is perfectly OK, too.
The support team for one of the people who attends the walking group commented that “he looks forward to the group and is happy to attend. It helps him focus and he participates well. He enjoys chatting with the other group members, going for long walks and stroking [Ned].”
An occupational therapist who supports the same group member says: “I think it provides him with an opportunity to socialise with others in a relaxing outdoor setting. It allows him to spend time with Ned and show affection towards him in a very positive way. Ned completes some really interesting tasks...which he can join in with. This provides something for him to focus on. Spending time in nature and walking are also beneficial for his wellbeing. He also liked the Christmas card he got from Ned!”
It’s good for the mental health, also very good exercise. I enjoy meeting up with other people from different companies.
The group started off small with just three participants but quickly grew to include 10 people and their support teams.
Support workers for those in the group have said that at the beginning of the programme, some of them struggled to complete the walks due to poor health and a tendency to be lethargic and avoid exercise. But within a few weeks, they were all completing it with ease and looking forward to going again. It was also mentioned that the group activity is something that attendees really look forward to and talk about both before and after.
Other support teams have commented on how people in the walking group are happy and relaxed after every session with Lucy, Hayley, Ned and Lexi, that it has enabled them to make new friends, and that they are more confident to access the community.
And what do the people taking part in the walking group say?
- “I love seeing Ned and the walks help me feel confident again.”
- “I didn’t walk very far before meeting Ned without sitting down. Now I can go on longer walks and play games too.”
- “I enjoy the dogs and the company of the people.”
- “I love the dogs because they make me happy, and I enjoy doing treasure hunts and playing hide and seek with dog toys.”