Sofa2Stroll+

06/09/2026

When You Look Fine but Your Body Is Struggling: The Hidden Impact of Dysautonomia

06/09/2026

September is World Pain Month, an awareness month dedicated to highlighting the challenges faced by those living with chronic pain and the importance of better support and management. It also provides a platform for individuals living with chronic pain to share their stories and connect with others who face similar challenges.

Chronic pain in EDS and HSD is very common and may be severe. It may be widespread or it may be limited to one area of the body such as a limb. Headaches and gastrointestinal discomfort can occur as well as joint, muscle and nerve pain. Management strategies include physiotherapy, medication, and sensible use of medical equipment such as splints and braces.

In an article by Dr. Johanna Theron, Community Chronic Pain Service, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, she explains: "People who live with hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), usually have a very high symptom load from the various affected systems in the body and the associated disorders.
Pain is often very prominent, not just created by the underlying problems themselves but also by their consequences.

To help manage this pain, a whole-person approach is necessary. It is often very difficult to accept that there is no single treatment that could totally alleviate or cure the pain but if we address it from multiple different angles, we can often achieve a noticeable reduction.

To start to have more control over your pain, it is helpful to understand a bit more about the types of pain and what you are experiencing."
Dr. Theron also joined us for a webinar on pain management options for EDS and HSD, which can be viewed on our Youtube channel https://youtu.be/OSo3z_m0af4

Throughout the month we will be sharing different resources to help with pain management.

If you would like to share your story for pain month and what has helped you to manage aspects of your pain, please email [email protected] around 500-800 words with photographs we may use on social media.

04/09/2026

🍂✨ FREE Accessible Nature Walks This Autumn ✨🍂

Meteorological autumn is here! 🍁 And what a beautiful time of year it is to slow down, step outside and notice nature beginning to change around us.

The greens are gradually giving way to gorgeous shades of gold, orange and red, the sunlight sits a little lower and warmer in the sky, and beneath our feet the fascinating world of fungi is beginning to appear. 🍄‍🟫🍄🍂

I wonder what little treasures of autumn we’ll discover on our strolls this month? ✨

Perhaps some colourful leaves, an unusual mushroom, birds preparing for the changing season… or simply a peaceful moment that makes us stop, breathe and smile. 🌿

Living with a long-term health condition shouldn’t mean missing out on the joy of gentle movement, nature, friendship and connection. 💚

So come and join us for one or both of our FREE Sofa2Stroll+ September strolls;

🌿 Tuesday 15th September
Start: 10:30am–12:30pm
Place: Straws Bridge Nature Reserve (Main car park)

and/or

🌳 Thursday 17th September
Start: 10:30am–12:30pm
Place: Elvaston Castle Country Park (Main car park)

🍁Gentle Steps • Real Support • True Connection 💚

📌 Booking is recommended:
Book your FREE Sofa2Stroll+ place on Eventbrite⁠: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/103715373891?aff=ebdsshios

💚 Technology not your thing? Please don’t let that stop you! Just turn up and we’ll happily book you in on the day.

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....

30/08/2026

24/08/2026

🌿 Fix Nature. Fix Health

If you have a couple of minutes, you might want to support The Wildlife Trusts’ Fix Nature. Fix Health campaign.

They’re gathering people’s stories to help influence decision-makers and highlight the important role nature can play in health, wellbeing and prevention, as well as why access to nature needs to be part of the conversation about health.

It feels particularly relevant to what we’ve experienced together through Sofa2Stroll+, and the connection, movement and sense of possibility that can grow when people living with long term health conditions come together in nature.

Whether it’s through a walking group, a local initiative, a practitioner, a particular place or simply time spent in nature, there are so many different ways it can become part of living well with health conditions.

🌿 Let’s share those experiences and help show decision-makers what nature can mean for our health and wellbeing. 💚

Nature improves everyone's physical health and mental well-being. When we fix nature, we can fix health. How does nature help you? Share your story.

21/08/2026

🌿✨ Another Wonderful Week of Sofa2Stroll+ ✨🌿

What a lovely week we’ve had across both of our Sofa2Stroll+ walks … filled with nature, connection, supportive conversations and plenty of laughter. 💚

Tuesday brought together new faces and familiar friends, with lots of inspiring conversations as we gently strolled together. And, of course, we finished in true Sofa2Stroll+ style… with a well-earned drink and more chatting in the lovely Castlefield Café. ☕😊

Thursday brought a little adventure! With everyone happily in agreement, we took a slight detour from our usual route and ambled beneath the magnificent pine trees. The scent was absolutely gorgeous… and yes, Nikki may have hugged one! 🌲😆

We slowed down to listen to the gentle brook flowing beside us before the heavens decided to open! 🌧️ Rather than spoil our morning, it gave us the perfect excuse to shelter together beneath the pagoda in the Old English Walled Garden … where the rain was accompanied by joyful conversation and lots of laughter.

And really, that sums up Sofa2Stroll+ beautifully.

🌿 We move at our own pace.
💚 We support one another.
🌦️ We embrace whatever the day brings.
😆 And we usually find plenty to smile about along the way.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this month and continues to make these walks such a warm, welcoming community.

Fancy joining us?

Our next walks are in September, and new faces are always very welcome.

👣 3rd Tuesday of every month — Straws Bridge Nature Reserve

👣 3rd Thursday of every month — Elvaston Castle Country Park

Come as you are, stroll at your pace, and discover just how uplifting a little time in nature and good company can be. 🌿✨

See you in September! 💚

11/08/2026

🌿✨ FREE Accessible Nature Walks … Gentle Steps, Big Smiles ✨🌿

Living with a long-term health condition shouldn’t mean missing out on the joy of movement, nature, friendship and connection. 💚

Come and join us for one or both of our Sofa2Stroll+ August walks:

🌿 Tuesday 18th August

Start: 10:30am–12:30pm
Place: Straws Bridge Nature Reserve (Main car park)

and/or

🌳 Thursday 20th August

Start: 10:30am–12:30pm
Place: Elvaston Castle Country Park (Main car park)

💚 Gentle Steps • Real Support • True Connection 💚

Whether you’re one of our lovely regulars or thinking about joining us for the very first time, you’ll receive a warm welcome.

Our walks are very gentle, inclusive and unhurried, created especially for people living with long-term health conditions who may find traditional walking groups a little too much.

📌 Booking is recommended:
Book your FREE Sofa2Stroll+ place on Eventbrite⁠: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/103715373891?aff=ebdsshios

💚 Technology not your thing? Please don’t let that stop you! Just turn up and we’ll happily book you in on the day.

Sometimes getting from the sofa to the stroll is the biggest step of all… and we’ll be there to take the next ones alongside you. 🌿👣💚

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....

03/08/2026

A calm local guide to what's on, where to go and who to know in Long Eaton.

03/08/2026

💚Mental Health Friendly Clubs Programme supports sports and physical activity clubs across Derbyshire to create safe, supportive and inclusive environments for adults and young people.

Delivered in collaboration with Active Derbyshire, this programme strengthens the role clubs already play in building confidence, connection and community — by placing mental wellbeing at the heart of sport.

What Is a Mental Health Friendly Club?: A Mental Health Friendly Club is committed to being supportive, inclusive and understanding. It promotes open conversations about mental health and ensures members feel valued.

What Your Club Will Receive:

By joining the programme, clubs gain access to:
Free mental health & su***de prevention training
Club Wellbeing Ambassador training from Compass Changing Lives
Practical resources and guidance
Mental health resource packs
A digital badge to showcase your commitment
Ongoing support and signposting advice

Why It Matters?: For many people, their sports club is a trusted space and vital support network. By becoming a Mental Health Friendly Club, you help:

Reduce stigma
Encourage early support
Strengthen your club culture
Protect the wellbeing of members and volunteers

Who Can Join? The programme is open to all sports and physical activity clubs across Derbyshire, regardless of size or discipline. If your club wants to build a positive, inclusive culture and show your community that mental health matters — now is the time to get involved.

Becoming a recognised Mental Health Friendly Club comes with a digital badge, a certificate, and flexible ways to raise awareness — from sharing resources to hosting events.

The best way to find out more is to attend one of our short introduction sessions. There’s no obligation — just an opportunity to hear more about the initiative and ask any questions.

Mental Health Friendly Clubs - Introduction Session – https://zurl.co/B0dCi

Contact: [email protected] and/or [email protected] .

03/08/2026

Check out our upcoming events!

Here’s the poster with all the details. Don’t miss out!