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Walk 1: Finding Calm In and Around Us

14 April 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Free
Highwoods Country park walk

Walking Through Emotions: Finding Calm In and Around Us

Join us for the first walk in the Walking Through Emotions walking programme! This will be a steady and calm walk through the trees and nature of Highwoods Country Park, giving us all a chance to take a break from the stresses of the world, relax and get to know each other. We’ll be pausing regularly on the way around to take part in some simple self-care and reflection exercises and to give you a chance to just enjoy being out in nature.

Footwear and clothing recommendation

Wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in with a decent grip. Depending on the weather there may be some slightly wet and/or muddy sections, so don’t wear anything you want to keep spotless. Bring a jacket and/or umbrella in case of rain.

The walk will be mostly on trail paths, which are quite wide and well-marked but can occasionally be uneven. We’ll be avoiding any of the heavily muddy sections of the country park, but some areas may be slippery or damp. There will be others using the park while we’re there, including dogs that might be off-lead.

Getting there

There’s a car park at the Highwoods Country Park visitor centre. Parking costs £1 for 2 hours via MiPermit). the car park can be accessed from Turner Road.

A number of buses (8, 60, 68, 81, 81A, 84, 93, S1 and S2) stop on Turner Road by the hospital.

Facilities

Toilets available at the visitor centre
Refreshments available at visitor centre (we’ll also bring some tea with us)
Car parking available and accessible by public transport (see details above)
Regular breaks during the walk

Book your tickets now and join us on this walk through our emotions, finding calm in and around us.

Questions & Answers

The walk itself will last for approximately one hour. We will enjoy some tea and cake in the country park after we walk, which will require a little long if you would like to stay for the refreshments.

We will walk less than 2 miles, this is at an average pace, however we will ensure the pace is ok for those who walk quickly and those who walk slowly, allowing time for our mindfulness and taking nature in.  No one will feel rushed.

The terrain is gentle and easy, making this walk suited to most everyone. We will also have two walk leaders, one at the front and one at the back, ensuring we can support everyone at all paces.   If you do have nay health conditions that you are concerned about, please consult your doctor before coming on the walk. Please also let us know in advance.

Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate walking shoes. It is also a good idea to bring a water bottle with you.

Walk 1: Finding Calm In and Around Us
Date: Sunday 14th April
Time: 10am
Distance: Approximately 2 miles (3km)
Type: Circular (finishing back where we began)
Terrain: Easy, trail paths through the country park
Meeting point: Highwoods Country Park visitor centre, Turner Road, Colchester CO4 5JR (What3Words: tone.script.cried)

Nick Barlow

Walk Leader: Nick Barlow

  • Mindful Moments: Pause at designated spots for guided mindfulness practice, where you’ll learn techniques to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine.
  • Reflective Pause: Take a moment to reflect on the transformative power of nature and the positive impact it can have on your well-being.

Walking Through Emotions

Walking Through Emotions is a 6-month progressive walking programme, designed to help participants explore weekly walking as part of a life-changing, self-care programme, supporting them with their emotional self-care.

During the six months, they will chart their progress and feel the benefits of learning to identify their emotions, learning presence, self-compassion and mindfulness to support their own wellbeing. They will also gain social connection, confidence and resilience as work towards completing a long 3 day walking holiday. Participants will receive a Programme map and gain stamps and they participate and achieve walking and self-care milestones.

Aims of the programme

  1. To reduce feelings of isolation, loneliness and shame, helping people feel included, making social connections and forming friendships over the 6 month programme. 
  2. Exploring the use of regular walking as part of life-changing self-care recovery programme, learning presence, self-compassion and mindfulness as a way of taking responsibility for their own wellbeing. 
  3. To give a group the skills, confidence and capability to embark on a long walk together at the end of the programme – celebrating their progress along the way towards an incredible milestone.

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