Get Moving This May
Welcome to your May wellbeing update that's jam-packed with lots of helpful free courses and resources to help you improve your health.
May is National Walking Month, and with the flowers starting to bloom there is no better time to get your steps in and enjoy the health benefits of being active in nature.
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National Walking Month
May is National Walking Month which shines a light on all the benefits of getting your steps in. A good walk is so much more than stretching your legs. It’s one of the easiest ways to improve our health and stay connected to our community. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance.
Our longstanding Wellbeing Walks programme has been getting people moving and helping friendships form for over 20 years. The walks are sociable, free, and volunteer led. Our team of walk leaders carefully plan each route, meaning you can just turn up, take in your surroundings, and enjoy. They take place across the District and with over 30 to choose from each month you are bound to find one for you.
Living Streets run the campaign and they have put together 20 tips to help you fit 20 minutes of walking into your day. Why not take part in the #TRY20 checklist this May.
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Thank you Peter!
We would like to say a very big thank you to Peter , one of our volunteer Walk Leaders. Peter (pictured below) has been leading one of our most popular weekly walks every Friday from St Mary's Church (Horsham) for as long as we can remember! Peter is now stepping back from the walks so we wanted to shout about how grateful we are to him for giving up his time to be such a dedicated Walk Leader.
The Wellbeing Walks were established in 2000, albeit under a different name. Peter has led the walk pretty much every week since then and always with a great turnout of people. Our best guess would be that he has led about 1,300 walks with roughly 25 people attending each week, that's more than 32,000 people that have come along to walk with him, which is incredible!
We know that Peter is a very friendly, chatty, knowledgeable man, and made it his mission to find out about all his walkers, and always encourages everyone to join the coffee/social get together at the end.
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More recently Peter has been co-hosting these walks with Michael who has also played a crucial role in supporting Peter and keeping the walks going, and we are delighted that Michael is going to take the Walk Leader role on going forward. So a big thank you to Michael too!
The Wellbeing Walks wouldn't exist without dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers like Peter and Michael. We are so grateful to every walk leader that gives up their time to enable so many residents the opportunity to get outside and explore our beautiful district with other like-minded people.
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Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 will take place from 13 to 19 May, on the theme of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”.
Movement is important for our mental health. But so many of us struggle to move enough. We know there are many different reasons for this, so this Mental Health Awareness Week, The Mental Health Foundation want to help people to find moments for movement in their daily routines. Going for a walk in your neighbourhood, putting on your favourite music and dancing around the living room, chair exercises when you’re watching television – it all counts!
Don’t forget to share your #MomentsForMovement on social media during the week!
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Did you know West Sussex Talking Therapies offer a drop-in session at our Wellbeing Hub in Swan Walk?
Every other month a member of the West Sussex Talking Therapies Team (formerly known as Time to Talk) will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the support they offer and accessing the service.
One in four people will have a mental health problem of some kind every year in England. And they are here to help. They are a free, confidential NHS service. If you’re living with anxiety and depression, they can help you get the support you need.
West Sussex Talking Therapies offers interventions in a variety of ways to meet individual needs.
Visit the Wellbeing Hub to have an informal chat on the following Tuesdays (please check our What's Going On page for timings):
25th June 20th August 29th October 17th December
Did you know?
The Samaritans aren't just there if you are feeling suicidal.
Maybe your problems have built up over time. Perhaps you've hit an unexpected crisis. Or you just can't pinpoint what's wrong. Don't wait until it feels too much. You don't have to face it alone.
Whatever you are going through, you don't have to face it alone.
Call free day or night on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
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Wellbeing Clinic in Henfield
We are coming to Henfield Hall in May! Residents can find out more about our services and also book in for a Wellbeing MOT.
Step onto our body composition scales to find out your fat percentage, muscle mass, bone mass, visceral fat, hydration levels and more! You will have the chance to talk through your results, confidentially, with a wellbeing advisor and decide on any steps you might want to take to help improve your health and lifestyle.
Wellbeing MOTs must be booked in advance as there are limited appointments available but feel free to just pop along and have a chat to one of the team to find out more about what we do.
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Are you keen to learn more about why a healthy lifestyle is important to help manage blood pressure? This short talk will cover:
• What blood pressure is
• Complications associated with untreated high blood pressure
• What increases your risk of developing high blood pressure
• Why it’s important to know your blood pressure
• Small steps you can take towards lowering blood pressure
• The free support available from Horsham Wellbeing to help you lower your blood pressure
Book now: Wednesday 1 May 5-7pm in Storrington
Book now: Thursday 9 May 10.30am - 12.30pm in Henfield
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Stopping smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health.
Our trained Wellbeing Advisors are ready to support you on your quit journey. We offer access to at least six weeks of behavioural support as well as a wide range of Nicotine Replacement Therapy options such as patches, gum, lozenges, inhalators and mouth spray.
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We have teamed up with Horsham Matters and will be a food donation point throughout the month of June. You will find a donation basket just inside our Wellbeing Hub in Swan Walk.
Whilst we welcome any donations of non-perishable food, we've also put together a list of healthy options as Healthy Eating Week also takes place in June.
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Menopause information session
We have partnered up with Horsham Central PCN to host another Menopause Information session on Thursday 23 May from 5-6pm at our Wellbeing Hub in Swan Walk (Horsham).
The session will focus on a range of topics tailored to address the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of menopause. From managing symptoms and promoting wellbeing to exploring self-care practices and lifestyle adjustments, this workshop will offer valuable insights and practical strategies to help you navigate this important phase of life with confidence and grace.
Join us for engaging discussions, interactive activities, and a supportive community where you can ask questions, share stories, and gain inspiration from others on a similar journey. Whether you're seeking information, guidance, or simply a sense of camaraderie, this session is designed to provide you with the resources and support you need to thrive during menopause.
Once the session finishes you are then welcome to make your way to Chococo for the Menopause Café from 6-7.30pm. Both sessions need to be booked in advance as spaces are limited.
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