Green Walking case study - South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust: Walking Group

The occupational therapy assistants at the Priestley Unity in Dewsbury started a green walking group for their ward patients.  This was intended as a way to reduce boredom on the ward and to promote healthy and active lifestyles in the patients.  Considerations for participation included: the patients' interactions in a group, their overall health, their leave status, and if they had participated before.  A ratio of at least 1 staff member (or more) to 3 patients is needed for walk support.  Currently, there have been only informal evaluations of the group, but it is hoped that patient health outcomes will improve. Staff have noted that patients who are frustrated on the ward appear calmed after walking group.