This May is National Walking Month and Mental Health Awareness Week - the theme this year is Nature.

Last year, we all felt the need to get outside more as some of us shielded for our health, we had multiple lockdowns around the country both national and localised and we weren't able to do the activities that we would normal do to maintain our mental wellbeing. 

Why outdoor peer support?

At Doncaster Mind, we have historically held groups outside - our monthly walking group encouraged people to get fit, be active and enjoy being outside, as well as the events we held such as Relaxation at Town Fields, the Summer Picnic and an annual trip to the seaside.

The outdoor peer support groups will :

• Encourage you to find a hobby that can nurture your wellbeing
• Support you to connect with nature
• Help improve your confidence 
• Provide you with a space to connect with other people who understand poor mental health
• Create opportunities for you to find Community based groups that exist around Doncaster. 

What is coming up?

Walking Group 

The Walking Group will take place on a Saturday Afternoon for 12 weeks. 

The walks will last for 1 1/2 hours and be around 3 - 4 miles and be led by an experience Walk Leader.  All the walks will be in the Doncaster area. 

You'll be given a meeting point for each walk. 

You'll need to bring a drink and a snack, any medication you might need and wear good closed toe footwear and make sure you wear appropriate clothing to the weather. (i.e. a coat if it's going to rain!) 

Gardening Group

The Gardening Group will meet weekly for 8 weeks over summer in the same venue each week. The sessions will last for approximately an hour and support you to learn about Gardening, as well as connect with others and nature. 

You'll be given a meeting point each week. 

You'll need to bring a drink and a snack, any medication you might need and wear good closed toe footwear. Please make sure you wear appropriate clothing to the weather (i.e. a jumper if it looks cold!) 

And that's not all! 

Later in the year, we hope to run a Cycling Group which will be provide accessible biking opportunities, Mindfulness activities in the park and work with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to bring you Cook with Nature sessions. 

If you feel that you would benefit from these groups, please get in touch by referring yourself here

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