Summary
Befriending Caithness ran their first in a series of Green Health Nature Walks to Dunnet Forest, Caithness, North of Scotland. After identifying that many of their befrienders are not able to access their local countryside easily they developed this project with funding from the Highland Green Health Small Grant Fund. The project aims to provide an opportunity to access nature in a safe, social way and improve participants feelings of wellbeing. On their first walk, 19 people attended, 9 older adult Befriendees, 5 volunteers, 2 Befriending Caithness Co-ordinators, 1 Forest Development Officers and 2 Bus Drivers and a dog.
Story of the walk
It was a wonderful sunny day and the majority of the people attended had not visited the forest for years or in fact in some cases never at all. The Forest Development Officer led the way and we were off in a line through the forest following the paths, smelling the fresh air, chatting and looking at the various plants that were growing on the forest floor with the Forest Development Officer giving us bits of information about the ground covering.
Client Group
The average age of the Befriendees attending was 80 plus. Some did not have good mobility, and one was a wheelchair user, however they did have the courage and enthusiasm to “give it a go” with a sense of adventure.
One befriendee is partially blind and held the arm of the co-ordinator leading her as they weaved through the trees and climb over the roots of the trees. The whole time the befriendee was walking she said she was so pleased that she “could do this”.
This was someone who is fearful about going out into the garden in case she falls. She has steps to leave her home so cannot leave by herself. She lives alone and has no family in this country.
Testimonial
As the walk continued her confidence continued to grow. She said the following:
“I never thought I could do this”
“I don’t go out in my garden can’t believe I have done this”
“Wait till I tell my family I have been to Dunnet Woods walking”
“This has given me confidence”
“It can’t get worse, looking forward to the next one”
Impact and Outcomes
This walk had a significant, posiive impact on this ladies confidence. When the Co-ordinator phoned her the next day she was still talking about the adventure she had by being in the forest doing something she thought she could never do and just building on the confidence she thought she had lost. This day made a huge difference to her outlook of life.
More information
Befrienders Caithnessis is a befriending service which offers isolated adults aged 40 and upwards, in Caithness a chance to meet a friendly face on a weekly basis. Referrals to the service can be made from health professionals, social workers, voluntary organisations, families and also self referrals. They currently have 34 volunteers who deliver the service through a variety of activities to people over 40 particularly older people. Contact Elspeth (elspeth@cvg.org.uk tel . 07592493045) or Angie (angie@cvg.org.uk tel. 07592493048) for more information.