Sofa2Stroll+

20/10/2026

🌿🍂 Small Group, Big Smiles at Sofa2Stroll+! 💚

What a super little stroll we enjoyed at Straws Bridge this morning!

There may have been just three of us, but goodness, we made up for it with wonderful conversations, plenty of laughter and a lovely sense of community spirit! 😆💚

We completely understand that wet weather, muddy puddles and slippery paths can make getting outdoors a little more challenging for those living with long-term health conditions. 🌧️🍂

But remember, at Sofa2Stroll+ there’s never any pressure! We stroll gently, take our time, avoid the puddles where we can… and if the weather really isn’t playing nicely, there’s always the wonderful Café at Castlefield for a warming cuppa and a good old natter! ☕🥰

Because sometimes it’s not about how far we walk, but the friendships, laughter and connections we make along the way. 💚

❄️ Our next FREE stroll is

Tuesday 17th November at 10:30am, at Straws Bridge Nature Reserve.

We’ll be ready with our thermals, woolly hats and perhaps a few extra layers! 🧣😆

New faces and familiar friends are always welcome.

🌿 Gentle Steps • Real Support • True Connection


Cafe at Castlefield

16/10/2026

There are a wide range of community groups, support groups, crisis support and more.

Whether it’s a local support group or something based on your interests, connecting with others can be a big boost for your mental health.

Take a look at the Derbyshire Mental Health Map: https://dccmhsp.com/DerbyshireMentalHealthMap

16/10/2026

🌿 Upcoming Free Walk – FROM THE FURNACE🌿

Join us on Sunday 18th October at 10:30am for our next Free Weekend Walk in The National Forest!

This 5 mile walk immerses you in the transformed industrial landscape of Moira which has seen woodland cover increased tremendously in the last 30 years.

📍 Meet at: Moira Furnace Country Park, Furnace Lane, Moira, DE12 6AT

No booking needed — just turn up with sturdy footwear and enjoy a great morning outdoors.

For more details, contact 📧 [email protected]

See you there!😃

16/10/2026

Countywide Christmas Networking Event 🎄

Join us for a festive morning of networking, collaboration, and community connections from across Derbyshire and the city.

📅 Monday 7th December 2026
🕤 9:30am – 12:30pm
📍 Erewash Voluntary Action, Granville Avenue, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, NG10 4HD
✨ Including Erewash Community Network

This is a drop-in event, so feel free to pop in at any time between 9:30am and 12:30pm.

Bring along:
✅ Leaflets and information about your organisation
✅ Business cards and promotional materials
✅ Updates on projects, services and opportunities

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with individuals and organisations from across the County and City, share information, build new partnerships and strengthen local networks ahead of the festive season.

We look forward to welcoming you for a morning of meaningful conversations and new connections.

16/10/2026

🌿🍂 Come & Join Us for a Lovely Sofa2Stroll+ This Tuesday! 🍂🌿

Fancy a little fresh air, friendly company and some autumn magic? 🍁🍄

💚 Tuesday 20th October | 10:30am–12:30pm
📍 Straws Bridge Nature Reserve, Ilkeston

Whether you’re one of our wonderful regulars or thinking of joining us for the first time, we’d love to welcome you!

Our FREE, gentle and accessible strolls are especially designed for people living with long-term health conditions. No rushing, no pressure … just nature, supportive conversations, shared smiles and time to enjoy the little things. 🌿✨

And, of course, we’ll finish with a lovely cuppa, a catch-up and plenty of chatter at the wonderful Cafe at Castlefield! ☕😄

🌿 Gentle Steps • Real Support • True Connection

📌 Book your FREE place:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sofa2stroll-103715373891

Not confident with online booking? Just turn up and we’ll happily book you in! 💚

Hello, we are Nikki & Michelle and we would like you to join us on our 'Sofa2Stroll+' walks in nature organised through the Walk Derbyshire Initiative. We have found that being out in nature is our happy place and has in recent years been fundamental in helping us to adapt to living with our long t....

13/10/2026

13/10/2026

🌿 Calling All Nature-Lovers in Derbyshire with PoTs and/or hEDS)🌿... all other long term health conditions very welcome too.

Hi, we’re Nikki & Michelle, and we’d love for you to join us on our Sofa2Stroll+ walks through nature, organised in partnership with our local Walk Derbyshire Initiative.

Being outdoors is our happy place…it’s been life-changing in helping us adapt to our long-term health conditions(PoTS & hEDS), improve mobility, and boost exercise tolerance.

We’ve struggled to find a walking group that truly works for us, ones we’ve joined often walk too far, tackle steep hills, or don’t wait if we need to pause. So, we’re creating a group where everyone can enjoy the benefits of nature and community, together.

What makes our Walking group different?
💬 Accessible walks: Always flat and suitable for wheelchairs, rollators, and other mobility aids.
💬 Flexible pace: Walks will be short and adjustable based on how everyone feels on the day.
💬 Inclusivity: Our motto is "Those ahead loop back to support the back of the group…no one is ever left behind."
💬 Convenient locations: Toilets and refreshment options will always be nearby.

📍Location:

🌿 Straws Bridge Nature Reserve, West Hallam, DE7 5FG

= Meet in the main car park at 10:30am on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.

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

📍 Ad-Hoc walks based on demand

💚 Take that first step with us and reconnect with nature…because every stroll is a step toward better health & well-being!

18/09/2026

🌿 Sofa2Stroll+ at Straws Bridge is Continuing & Growing! 🌿

We’re delighted to confirm that our Sofa2Stroll+ walks at Straws Bridge Nature Reserve will continue every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 10:30am. 💚

Our lovely community there continues to grow, and we’re looking forward to welcoming even more familiar and new faces for gentle steps, real support and true connection. 🌿✨

* However, after 19 wonderful monthly walks at Elvaston Castle Country Park, we’ve decided to bring our regular Elvaston walk only to a close, largely due to accessibility and limited public transport. We may, however, return for the occasional pop-up stroll! 🌳

So, Sofa2Stroll+ is very much continuing and our next chapter is growing at;

Straws Bridge Nature Reserve 💚

🌿 Every 3rd Tuesday • 10:30am

Come as you are. Move at your pace. We’ll be delighted to stroll with you. 🌿✨

15/09/2026

15/09/2026

💙 Conditions Associated With Dysautonomia: The Connections Can Be Complex

Dysautonomia affects the autonomic nervous system, which helps regulate automatic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, sweating, and temperature. Because this system interacts with so many parts of the body, dysautonomia can occur alongside a wide range of medical conditions.

The image highlights several conditions that may be associated with or coexist alongside dysautonomia, including:

🔹 Ehlers-Danlos syndromes & hypermobility spectrum disorders
🔹 Mast cell–related disorders
🔹 Small-fiber neuropathy
🔹 Diabetes
🔹 Gastroparesis
🔹 Autoimmune diseases
🔹 ME/CFS
🔹 Mitochondrial disorders
🔹 Chiari malformation
🔹 Inflammatory bowel disease

But there’s an important distinction:

💙 An association does not mean one condition automatically causes the other.

Some conditions may contribute to autonomic dysfunction, while others may simply coexist in the same person. The strength of these relationships also varies, and research is still developing for some of them.

For example, autonomic dysfunction is recognized in some people with diabetes, while POTS and other forms of orthostatic intolerance are frequently discussed in connection with EDS/hypermobility.

🧠 That’s why dysautonomia can be so difficult to understand.

Two people may both have autonomic dysfunction but have completely different symptoms, underlying conditions, and treatment needs.

And having one of the conditions shown in this infographic does not automatically mean a person has dysautonomia.

💙 The body is interconnected. The symptoms can be complex. And every person’s medical story is different.

Awareness starts with understanding the connections—without assuming that every connection applies to everyone.