Two years ago, the world went into lockdown after a COVID outbreak. Rules were put into place to protect the population, including limits on outdoor exercise.
Vinay Nair moved to Epping two weeks before the lockdown and as a mental health consultant, having spent a lot of time on zoom calls, he would unwind by taking walks.
“Noticing nature in all shapes and forms forced him to pay attention and started to calm his busy brain. The sounds of nature and the new growth helped him stay present and appreciate the beauty of the area,” Vinay said.
From there, Vinay reached out to Leanne, another local who he met through counselling studies and the idea for this initiative started from there.
The walking group meets every Saturday at Quarry Hills Bushland Park in Epping, where they embark on an hour hike, slowly making their way to lookouts of the city.
“The aim of these weekly walks is to take time from our weekly hustle and bustle to connect with the local environment and share meaningful moments with others that can in turn improve and sustain our mental and physical wellbeing,” Vinay said.
Vinay said the walks were about exploring the local suburb, as well as meeting other locals, rebuilding connections and forming new friendships.
“We have had to overcome challenges we could never have imagined and being indoors or tied to a desk can take its toll – this ‘walk and talk’ brings connection, relief, nature, scenic beauty and safety of being in a group,” he said.
“It also supports wellbeing in a variety of ways including improved mental health, reduced loneliness, larger social circles and greater relationship satisfaction.”
Details: www.facebook.com/whittleseawalkandtalk.
