Losing someone we love can turn our life upside down.
When Linda’s husband died ten years ago, she had barely left home without him for decades. An avid traveller, she was just beginning to find her feet, and take solo trips abroad when COVID-19 trapped her inside.
Lockdown was a big blow to her re-found confidence. With no immediate family members or anyone in her bubble she felt so down she hardly interacted with anyone for almost 18 months.
Meeting Linda now, you’d never guess she was in such a dark place just a few years ago. One of the regulars at a weekly ‘Walk and Talk’ along Fleetwood seafront, she is a friendly face for nervous newcomers. Many of them are going through their own bereavements and having someone like Linda there to welcome them makes all the difference.
Find out more about Linda's social prescribing story
Like many of the newer walkers, Linda found out about the group through a local Social Prescriber – Wendy. Wendy persuaded her to go along on the walk and soon she was out every week.
Linda said:
“This group has made a big difference, not just me but to everybody. It's just grown and grown. And now we have over 30 people... It's changed my life.”
It’s normal to be nervous to try something new. But there are social prescribers like Wendy to walk with you every step of the way and people like Linda to welcome you when you get there. If you need support, speak to your local GP surgery about social prescribing in your area. It might even change your life.
