Sutton Park Walk & Talks

The Sutton Park Walk and Talk group is a FREE local walking group. I set up the group in September 2024 to combat loneliness and isolation in the community and for people who like to walk in Sutton Park and want someone to walk with.

I choose to keep this as a FREE group which means that the dates for the walks are set on an irregular basis around my existing work commitments and caring for my five children. The feel of the group is a casual drop-in, so that members never feel pressure to attend and are able to drop in as and when life allows.

The walk dates are always shared on the Sutton Park Walk and Talk WhatsApp channel. Please note this is a channel and not a chat, and can be found in the 'UPDATES' tab at the bottom of the WhatsApp screen once you have followed the channel. I created a channel because this means that followers do not have to scroll through hundreds of messages to find the relevant information. All that is shared on the channel is primarily walk dates, plus ad hoc information about any other free community events I am connected with and the occasional feedback survey related to the walk and talks.

I recently conducted a Google Forms survey which was shared on the Sutton Park Walk & Talk WhatsApp channel, on Facebook, Facebook community and business groups and also on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and will help our walking group to evolve and grow.

There were 18 respondents. 1 respondent did not wish to have their feedback shared online anonymously so I have not included their written feedback.

1. Female/ Male

2. Age Group

3. Approximately how many walks have you attended?

4. If you have not attended a walk/ not attended as many walks as you would like to, please state the reason (or multiple reasons) Please note there were 3 additional 'OTHER' responses provided, (not shown in chart).

I have other commitments at the times of the walks

At present, walks take place on an ad hoc basis on some Sunday mornings, sometimes on a weekday lunchtime and we are looking to add an occasional evening walk after Easter break, which will be useful for people who are unavailable weekdays and weekends.

Otherwise, I am at capacity for the time I am able to volunteer to lead walks due to my work and family commitments. Having some volunteers to lead a walk at a different times / different days would mean that walks could happen at other times. If anyone wishes to volunteer to lead any walks, please email me trainertonia@gmail.com  - this will make it possible to offer more walks/ walks at different times. If volunteers come forward, I will look to match the availability of volunteers to the availability of people wishing to join a walk. Volunteering is a very rewarding experience, can be useful for your CV and is a great way to connect with our community.

I worry about meeting new people

I am always happy to meet anyone slightly before the walk times if it would help. I arrive usually 10 minutes before the start of the walk so please feel free to come early and meet me first. Or email me trainertonia@gmail.com and we can have a chat beforehand to go through any concerns you may have about meeting new people on the walk.

I can't seem to locate the walk

The walk dates are always shared on the Sutton Park Walk and Talk WhatsApp channel. Please note this is a channel and not a chat, and can be found in the 'UPDATES' tab at the bottom of the WhatsApp screen once you have followed the channel. I am happy to talk through this with anyone who may struggle to access the channel. Please email me trainertonia@gmail.com

The location and postcode of the location is shared in the WhatsApp group. If you have any difficulty locating the meeting place, please feel free to email me trainertonia@gmail.com and I can send location photos, directions from where you are, anything that would help.

I forget when they are

I will usually post the walk in the WhatsApp channel Sutton Park Walk and Talk WhatsApp channel.and I will trial out posting a reminder the day before the walk in the WhatsApp channel where possible. If something else would be helpful for you, please do let me know by email trainertonia@gmail.com

5. Which walks have you attended? Please select all that apply.

6. If you have attended a walk, what benefit have you gained? You can select more than one.

• (bar #5)...being out in the natural world

7. Did you know that relatives/ children / dogs are welcome to accompany you on the walk?

8. Please use the space below provide feedback on the walks in your own words. Anything that comes to mind is very helpful - constructive feedback welcome.

I am looking forward to being able to join in.

It will be lovely to see you on a walk :)

It would be good if there could be some longer walks or different routes for variation.

Thank you for this feedback :) In terms of the walk lengths, to keep the walks free, I fit them in around my work commitments and looking after my 5 children so the 4.7km walk is the longest I am able to provide time-wise at this time (approx 60-70 mins). The shorter walk, 1.9km, is from Wyndley Gate. We have done a walk from Town Gate and also occasionally walks from Bracebridge although attendance at these walks has been low. I am always open to suggestions for different walk routes to provide variety, please feel free to email me trainertonia@gmail.com .

Also, if anyone wishes to volunteer to lead a walk / a longer walk please email me trainertonia@gmail.com

Haven’t been able to attend any… but love the idea! Love Sutton park, grew up in Sutton Coldfield, worked in the park for 3 years so I know it well!

Thank you for your support :) Sutton Park is an amazing space we are so lucky to have this.

Would it be possible to give a couple of weeks advance notice. I'm definitely hoping to attend at some point.

It would be lovely to see you on a walk and thank you for your feedback :) I will aim to share the walk dates with as much notice as possible although sometimes the walks are announced with a short time frame because in order to keep them free, I fit them in around my family and work commitments and if I have a last-minute space in my working week & I sometimes schedule a walk in that space.

Well done for all you are doing!

Thank you for your support :)

Thank you for running them

Thank you :) It's been a pleasure and a lovely way to connect with others in the community.

Walking is so important for my well being

Definitely :) it's such a good way to look after our wellbeing.

Wish there were more weekly dates. On the basis, the group is welcoming and the walk is refreshing. It beats walking on your own. The location(s) is also soothing/relaxing. As such, the walk feels effortless, whilst being beneficial.

That's lovely to know of the benefits of the walk and location, thank you being part of the group and for your feedback :) In terms of offering additional weekly dates, this might be possible if we have some volunteers to lead weekday walks.

If anyone wishes to volunteer to lead a walk / a longer walk please email me trainertonia@gmail.com 

Thank you - appreciated!

Thank you :)

Flexibility. Do not feel obligated to attend

Thank you :) it was something I really considered around commitment - it's really important that people do not feel obliged and instead feel freedom to drop in as and when.

I love your walks

That's lovely to know, thank you :)