Our monthly walking group offers a gentle way to find support, connect with others, and take a well-earned break in the fresh air.
It offers a safe and welcoming environment to anyone who is caring for a loved one with a terminal illness, or who has suffered a bereavement.
The group is led by Hospiscare volunteers Sallie and Liz and meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 10:30am in various locations across Exeter, central and east Devon to walk and talk.
Sallie explains:
“It’s a good group and it’s here whenever people need it. Some of our walkers come every month, and have done for quite some time, and others may join just once. We’ve had many friendships develop that extend beyond the group meetups.
Recently, several young women joined the group while on leave from work and they developed such strong ties that even though they’ve returned to work and can’t join the Tuesday walks, they still get together.”
On one recent walk, the group set off from the Double Locks pub and enjoyed a gentle, flat stroll to Exeter quayside. At the quay, the walkers stopped to enjoy a coffee and a chat overlooking the water, before heading back to Double Locks along the other side of the river.
In addition to the fourteen human participants, three excitable, yet well-behaved dogs, joined the stomp and enjoyed some well-deserved treats at the coffee stop.
One walker joined the group with her dog and explains why:
“After my husband died, I didn’t feel I could talk to my friends and family. I didn’t want to put my grief on my children, as they were grieving themselves.
This group gives me a shared space to talk, if I want to, because I know that everyone is going through the same thing. Sometimes we talk about it, and sometimes we don’t, but we know we can.”
If you would like to find out more about the walking group, the 2026 dates and locations, click here.
Please contact Paula Marchant to let us know if you are planning on coming along.
Call 01392 520208, 01392 688008 or email supportivecare@hospiscare.co.uk.
