Hartismere Place supports new local walking scheme

Home news

Jul 17, 2018

Residents at Hartismere Place are putting their walking boots on for an eight-week scheme on the Thornham Estate.

Hartismere Place has part funded a new scheme along with the Pargeter Fund, Friends of Thornham Walks, and the Thornham Estate, with the aim of reducing social isolation, encouraging independence, and promoting a healthy lifestyle for older people. 

The home has organised for residents to explore the parkland along the 12-mile-stretch of the Estate known as the Thornham Walks, as part of an initiative to encourage physical activity and personal wellbeing in older people. 

The care home first established the relationship with the Estate in 2017 and now funding has been agreed for an eight-week programme which will involve residents visiting on a weekly basis for a relaxing walk and lunch in the Forge Café onsite. 

Matthew Calver, home manager at Hartismere Place, said: “Physical activity is great for improving the well-being of residents, and is something that is very important to us at Hartismere Place. 

“When we first started our relationship with Thornham Walks last year, it was brilliant to see how much the residents really thrived in the beautiful landscapes of the Thornham Estate – so we knew it was something we wanted to replicate again. 

“We’re delighted to have established a programme of activities with Thornham Walks and we’re really looking forward to seeing the Estate change over the summer as we move into autumn, which is a great sensory experience for the residents.”

Josephine Henniker-Major, the manager of Thornham Walks, said: “Since the Thornham Walks opened in the 1980s, the Estate’s ethos has been about sharing this wonderful place with others.

“This is the first project of this type we’ve been involved with and we thoroughly enjoy hosting residents from Hartismere Place – many of which have been local to the area all their lives and have a close connection to the countryside here. 

“We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the Estate and building on our new relationships.”