Sofa2Stroll+

15/11/2025

💚 Small Steps, Big Smiles 💚 at Elvaston Castle Country Park

We’d love you to join us for our next FREE Sofa2Stroll+ gentle nature walk at the beautiful Elvaston Castle Country Park — created especially for people living with long-term health conditions who want to feel supported, uplifted, and connected. 🌿✨

📅 Thursday, 20th November at 10:30am (for 1 - 2 hrs)
📍 Meet in the main car park by the large wooden carved Owl

We’ll be there in our bright yellow hi-vis and even brighter smiles — ready to welcome you for a calm, friendly stroll through the stunning park grounds. 🍂🕊️

Each walk is thoughtfully designed to be gentle, accessible, and inclusive, with plenty of time to pause, chat, and soak in the beauty of nature around us. Whether you come for the movement, the mindfulness, or the company, you’ll leave with a lighter step and a warmer heart. 💚

👉 Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sofa2stroll-103715373891

(Or don’t worry — we can book you in on the day if technology isn’t your thing!)

And yes, pack a raincoat and maybe those trusty wellies — though the forecast hints at a little sunshine too! 😄🌞

Come as you are. Move at your pace.
Let nature nurture your body, mind, and soul. 🌿💫

15/11/2025

Our next Straws Bridge Nature Reserve Sofa2Stroll+ is this coming Tuesday ... 18th November at 10:30am — it’s completely FREE to join.

☕ We’ll start with a friendly cuppa and chat, followed by a relaxing stroll through nature.

Meet in the free carpark at the information board. We'll be in our yellow high viz and bright smiles as usual...

👉 Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sofa2stroll-103715373891 (or we can book you on the day if you struggle with I.T)

Come as you are. Move at your pace.
Let nature nurture your body, mind, and soul. 🌿💫
... and you might need a rain coat & wellies, although it looks like some sunshine is 'predicted' at the mo 😄

04/11/2025

So lovely to see Sofa2Stroll+ featured! 🌿 Thank you for helping us spread the word … we can’t wait to welcome more friendly faces to our next walk at Straws Bridge!

People with health conditions that make it difficult for them to keep active are being invited to enjoy Erewash’s great outdoors – thanks to a new series of specially-tailored free strolls.

The morning walks – called Sofa2Stroll+ – are the brainchild of big-hearted former nurses Nikki Hall and Michelle O’Connor. The pair first launched them in Elvaston Country Park – and have now brought them to Ilkeston on the third Tuesday of each month.

The next is on 18 November. The gently-paced outings over flat terrain at Straws Bridge Nature Reserve are billed as “accessible walks in nature aimed at helping those with chronic health conditions get out for a stroll”.

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sofa2stroll-103715373891

22/10/2025

🌿✨ WOW ... What a Fabulous Launch Day at Straws Bridge Nature Reserve! ✨🌿

Yesterday marked the beautiful launch of our new (additional) Sofa2Stroll+ walk, and what an uplifting morning it was! 💚

We began the day with a cosy cuppa and warm conversation at the welcoming Cafe@Castlefield, taking time to connect and get to know one another.

The group of strollers who joined us were truly wonderful ... full of kindness, laughter, and great conversation as we enjoyed a gentle, mindful stroll around the pond and then the lake. ☕🚶‍♀️💬

Even the weather blessed us with sunshine, and nature put on a show just for us ... from graceful swans and playful ducks to a proud cormorant standing guard by the nest and a majestic heron searching for brunch. 🦢🪶🌞

It was the perfect way to start the day ... peaceful, joyful, and full of connection. We all left with lighter hearts, brighter smiles, and that wonderful sense of calm that only nature can bring. 🌸✨

We can’t wait to do it all again at our next Sofa2Stroll+ on Tuesday 18th November at 10:30am.

Come join us ... every stroll starts with a smile and ends with a little more sunshine in your soul. 💚🌿

20/10/2025

🌿✨ Exciting News … Our New Additional Sofa2Stroll+ Walk Launches Tomorrow! ✨🌿

🎉 We’re thrilled to be launching our additional Sofa2Stroll+ walk at the beautiful Straws Bridge Nature Reserve tomorrow - Tuesday 21st October! 🎉

🕥 Meet us in the (free) car park at 10:30am where we’ll begin our morning with a warm welcome, followed by a friendly stroll to the local café for a relaxed drink and chat. ☕💬

Afterwards, we’ll take a gentle, accessible walk around the stunning nature reserve … the perfect way to move, connect, and enjoy the calm beauty of the outdoors together. 🌸

Can’t wait to see you there - come as you are, bring your smile, and let nature do the rest. 💚✨

16/10/2025

🍂 What a Gorgeous Autumnal Stroll! 🌿

Today’s Sofa2Stroll+ was simply beautiful … a perfect blend of crisp autumn air, golden leaves, and wonderful company.

💚 It was such a joy to welcome new faces alongside our lovely regulars, each adding warmth and laughter to the morning.

We took a gentle stroll to the Old English Garden, where we paused to awaken our senses … seeing the rich colours of autumn, hearing the soft whispers of the breeze, and feeling the calm embrace of Mother Nature all around us. 🍁✨

On our way back, we stopped by the brook, taking a few mindful moments to watch the leaves drift gracefully downstream … a peaceful reminder to let go, breathe, and allow any worries from the week to gently flow away. 🌊🍂

Nature truly has a beautiful way of restoring balance … one mindful step at a time. 🌿💫

14/10/2025

🌿 **Looking forward to strolling with you this Thursday!** 🌞

Join us for this month’s Sofa2Stroll+ at the beautiful Elvaston Castle Country Park — a gentle, uplifting walk where connection, conversation, and calm come together in nature. 💚

📅 Thursday 16th Oct
🕥 Meet at 10:30am
📍 Main car park near the wooden owl

The forecast looks hopeful for a little sunshine 🌤️ — but do wrap up warm and wear comfy footwear for our mindful wander through the park’s stunning surroundings.

Let’s take a moment to pause, breathe, and enjoy the simple joy of being outdoors together. 🌸✨

Further details and FREE booking here;
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/sofa2stroll-walks-at-elvaston-castle-4456303?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=odclsxcollection

12/10/2025

🌿 Two Gentle Strolls — One Empowering Step at a Time! 🌞

We’re super excited to be offering not just one, but two accessible Sofa2Stroll+ walks ... designed especially for those who may find longer distances challenging or simply prefer a slower, more mindful pace. 💚

These strolls are all about wellbeing, connection, and community ... creating a safe, supportive space to move, breathe, and enjoy the healing calm of nature. 🌸✨

Come join us to reconnect with yourself and others, meet like-minded people living with long-term health conditions, and rediscover how even the gentlest movement can lift your mood, ease your mind, and bring a smile to your day.

👉Click on the posters to see more...

Because sometimes, the most powerful step forward… is simply stepping outside. 🌿💫

11/10/2025

Thank you so much Jog Derbyshire for inviting us to plan & deliver one of our beautiful Sofa2Stroll+ gentle accessible nature walks.

We were joined by our friends Walks 4 Wellbeing & the wonderful Kirsty from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Looking forward to seeing you again in the future 🌱

01/10/2025

🌿 We are absolutely delighted to be invited to join Jog Derbyshire at tomorrow’s FREE community event at Shipley Country Park. 💚 - Thursday 2nd Oct 9:30-12:30 (See Jog Derbyshire for booking details)

While we won’t be running (😆), we’ll be leading the choice of two gentle accessible strolls...perfect for anyone living with chronic illness, long-term health conditions, or limited mobility (See photos below for details)

Our focus is simple: creating space for connection, conversation, and the joy of moving in nature at your own pace. 🌸✨

As qualified Mental Health First Aiders Derbyshire Mental Health Team, we’re here to listen, support, and walk alongside you.

We’ve carefully tested both short routes (see photos) around the park’s stunning landscapes...and of course, we’ll end with a well-deserved cuppa and chat at the Bluebell Café. ☕🌼

We’re thrilled that our friends from Amber Valley Ambles & Walks 4 Wellbeing will also be there...bringing even more warmth, encouragement, and lived experience to share.

Together, we’re here to empower you to move a little more, connect a little deeper, and feel supported in doing it safely and well. 🌿💫

Let’s walk, talk, and remind ourselves: every step matters, and no step is too small when it’s taken with care and community. 👣💚

28/09/2025

***NEW = Location No.2…Sofa2Stroll+ At Straws Bridge Nature Reserve***


We are super pleased to launch, in addition to our main Sofa2Stroll+ location at Elvaston Castle Country Park, our ✨Straws Bridge Nature Reserve stroll.

This beautiful setting has wonderful woodland, a peaceful pond, breathtaking meadows, and a warm friendly café very close by for a lovely cuppa & chat with like-minded people.

📍Meeting point: Straws Bridge Nature Reserve Car Park, West Hallam, Ilkeston DE7 5FP

🕙 When: The 3rd Tuesday of every month at 10:30 am (end: no later than 12:30pm)

🚗 Parking: Ample free parking spaces available

☕ Facilities: Toilets (including disabled) & refreshments at the Castlefield Café a short stroll away.

👉 Eventbrite bookings (FREE) – https://www.eventbrite.com/o/sofa2stroll-103715373891


Accessibility & Terrain

The terrain is generally flat with either gravel or tarmac paths. The first part of the walk is 0.4miles around the pond.

The extended part of the walk (if you wish to go further) is up to 1.0 miles and is slightly more varied. Most of the paths are suitable for mobility aids, with only short sections of unevenness.

Like all other venues in nature; there will be wildlife, other visitors with children & dogs, flora & fauna, and the British weather affecting the terrain.

On the extended walk, if you wish to take a longer stroll, there are also a few inclines, and we know from experience how tough even a gentle slope can feel on a not-so-good day. That’s why we keep the walks steady, with plenty of pauses, and why across the whole route any elevation is gradual and spread out rather than in one steep climb.


How the Walks Work
🌱Welcome - Join us from 10:15 in the car park. You can’t miss us as we will have Walk Derbyshire High Viz on!
🌱 Cuppa & Chat - 10:30 - 11:15 Including a very short stroll to Castlefield Cafe, to connect and help you take your next steps on a stroll
🌱 Stroll around the pond: The walk begins at 11:15. Benches are limited, so if you need regular rests, you may find it helpful to bring a small folding stool (Michelle often does).
🌱Mindfulness in Nature: An optional short mindfulness practice during the walk, led by Nikki, for those who’d like to join in.
🌱Sofa2Stroll+ Part 2: After we return to the starting point, there’s the option of a slightly longer stroll for those who wish to go further. This will be adapted to the group’s abilities and personal reconditioning goals.

Above all, have fun!

📸 To find out more about us, and to see photos of previous walks, visit our (free) private Facebook group:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1574172316640247/


We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Best wishes,
Nikki & Michelle