Back in February this year, after being contacted by Inverness College UHI’s Mari Todd; Lecturer in Psychology and Care Practice, the University of the Highlands & Islands and NHS Highland hosted the very first Reach Out Health Walk around the Inverness College Main Campus’ lochs.
To help promote the event, the Public Health Directorate, our colleagues in the NHS Highland Corporate Communications department and the college, disseminated information via a press release to local the local media, placed promotional posters on staff noticeboards, made use of social media and the NHS Highland & Reach Out websites, and by word of mouth. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people in attendance with around 15 people turning up on the day, consisting of a mixture of staff, students and members of the public.
Some members of the public who attended the walk had confirmed that they had seen the posts on social media whilst others had been told about it by family and friends.
The walks were designed to cater for introductionary and intermediate skill levels and thanks to the level surface layout of the campus, wheelchair and walking aids were easily accommodated. There was some skepticism leading up to the beginning and beyond the first walk, that the weather was always going to be an issue. With high levels of snow and wind affecting the south of Scotland in March, there was concern that the bad weather would reach the north but, rather amazingly, the impact was limited to one day of rain in April and with the exception of some ground frost and minor drizzle, it remained mainly dry.
Initially, we were supported by Step It Up Highland who provided a Volunteer Walk Leader on the first couple of walks but Mari, who was a ‘retired’ walk leader, completed a refresher programme which allowed her to lead the walks. At around the same time as Mari’s refresher training, BSc Psychology students Ana, Beth and Kamila gained their own walk leader certification. This allowed for us to usually have at least two walk leaders for each session.
As the weeks progressed, we found that the number of attendees fluctuated but never below that of six people. We also found that we had regulars who stated that the walks had become something they looked forward to each week. I got to know these individuals well and whilst the sessions were only once a week, I could see them improving both in health and confidence. Through conversation with both the regular attendees and the students, it was fascinating to hear each individuals thoughts on loneliness and social isolation. Speaking to the regulars provided an insight into how their own lives were affected and I found it quite challenging to hear how debilitating loneliness and social isolation could be not only to an individual but also to those who lived with a partner and how they could feel isolated as a couple – something I hadn’t even considered.
Speaking to the students and watching them interact with the public, it was great to see how much they listened and see them provide a relaxed atmosphere so that the walks never felt intimidating.
To begin with, I attended a number of walks to take photos on the day; some of which can be seen in the following gallery, to provide updates on social media and to support any marketing materials for the walk. As the weeks progressed, I found that I was able to provide regular assistance to one of the less able attendees and along with Mari, provide a listening ear to our regular attendees who often felt that they needed someone to talk to who wasn’t in their usual circle of family, friends or colleagues.
The final walk for the spring/summer took place on the 20th June and much to the satisfaction of those who have been on the majority of the walks, it has been confirmed that they will begin again on the 29th August 2018, when the University begins its Autumn/Winter semester. Let’s just hope that the weather is as kind to us then as it has been before!
The ‘Reach Out’ banner, which provides a visual clue for those attending the walks to meet at 
Walking just past the main building of the Inverness College UHI campus 
A good turn out on the second health walk 
The attendees often settle into smaller mixed pace groups 
Seated within An t-Eilean situated on Lochan an Eilean, a part of the Inverness College UHI main campus 
A view of the Inverness College UHI main campus with blue sky and clouds visible. 
Helen from ‘Paths For All’ walks and talks with a UHI student 
A view overlooking Lochan Gorm, part of the Inverness College UHI campus