Strollers Walking Group. This Walking Group was set up during COVID. Four ladies attended on the first walk

Description

The Strollers were formed during COVID when the Community Health Worker, Pauline O Grady-Noonan, advertised this Walking Group through out Mallow and the surrounding areas. It was also advertised on Facebook and Website. The attendance was very low at start, this was due to fear and apprehension surrounding COVID. The Group started meeting on Wednesday mornings, but changed to Thursday mornings as more people joined it. Some men joined also and on occasion the Group would meet in Doneraile Park or at Nano Nagle Place, Mallow.
The Group always goes for tea/coffee after each walk and is very welcoming of new members into the group.
Referrals come form a lot of Health Specialists, our Social Prescriber, friends and self referrals.
This Group is a very proactive group and” Climbed with Charlie Bird ” and fundraised €400 for his charities. They attend most initiatives offered by Mallow Health Project and recently organised a walk in Banteer, where the Strollers traveller out by train, did the walk, had their lunch and travelled back to Mallow by train also. More recently they attended a Talk given by the Cardiac Nurse and local Physiotherapist.

Aim of Initiative

The aim of the Strollers was to get “Cocooners” back in to society in every form possible. For social, physical and mental health reasons.

Who is it aimed at

Anyone who likes a stroll and a chat. Anyone recuperating after surgery, an injury, a hip replacement or such like procedures. We have had referrals from oncology, mental health referrals, local Alzheimer’s Unit and Social Prescriber.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Following COVID it was the view of Physiotherapists that muscle tone/level of fitness in the seniors in our society was a huge worry, and mental health professionals were worried about the mental health of this cohort also.
   It was decided that a coordinated approach would be developed to address this.
2. Mallow Community Health Worker, Pauline O Grady-Noonan, contacted the HSE Physiotherapist and organised a session on Zoom in relation to exercises for muscle tone and strength and strengthening. Out of this grew ” live sessions” and to compliment this Chair Yoga and Chair Pilates were introduced. All these initiatives happened on line and the attendance were great.
3. When COVID restrictions were lifted, The Stroller, who were attending initiatives on line decided to invite a Physical Fitness Instructor in to the Walking Group for a 6 week ” Workout as You Walk” initiative and this proved to be a huge success. The majority of Strollers were now attending weekly Chair Yoga, or Chair Pilates or Line dancing classes.
   All the latter initiatives were run in an Underground Gar Park , in Mallow, that had one side opened to the elements , and attendees felt safe there.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. COVID was the biggest challenge, the fear was palpable. The ” Bubble” phenomena was a great break through both physical and mentally for all.
2. All the paperwork that was required at the commencement of each walk. Each attendee had to have their own biro, their own disposable glove. The hand sanitising, the mask wearing, the social distancing.
3. Going to different places for our walks. People could not car pool, so some people did not get to go, this was difficult to manage, as going to the same location week after week was trying. Some people were challenging as regards not having their own biros and gloves, even though they would have been reminded on WhatsApp to bring them.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. The Strollers physical health was on the up and were now attending their weekly walk, and some were attending another physical activity during the week, for example Chair Yoga, Chair Pilates, Line Dancing and Chair Tai Chi The social aspect alone was phenomenal, and people spoke about getting ” that first phone call from Mallow Health Worker” following the lifting of restrictions and how it saved them, both mentally and physically.
2. The social aspect of the Strollers Walking Group was really coming alive. The Strollers have their own WhatsApp group and any Information Mornings/Trainings/Concerts or Health Checks were advertised on there, along with any and all initiatives being offered by Mallow Community Health Project.
3. It was clear to see that the mental heath of the Strollers Walking Group is in a good state. The weekly outings at the different locations, plus the added mix of exercises as they walk is paying off.
   The Strollers are a great welcoming Group, the cuppa after each weekly walk encouraged new members to stay and get to know each other and to plan new initiatives.
   They support, encourage and comfort each other.