When Sheila’s physical health started to become a problem and she was struggling to walk, it affected her mental health. But then she found something that inspired her…

This is Sheila’s story in her own words…

New Year 2022. I had retired the previous November, and I felt totally stuck, uninspired and a little lost too.

I have always been defined and somewhat consumed with my work. But when my physical health started to become a problem in 2018-19, and I was struggling to walk and to write and take notes in my business support work at the council, I decided to take redundancy.

A week or two before I was due to actually finish work, a friend – who I was on the fundraising committee with for The Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayors Charity 2018-19 – asked if I was interested in doing some work with Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank.

This was an opportunity I simply could not miss!

A week after I left Stoke-on-Trent Council, I began work with Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank as Office Manager in Nov 2019.

Two years and a pandemic later I was exhausted. I decided my 66^th birthday would reluctantly be the first day of my retirement – official.

I loved the work and the people, but it was just draining me. Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank, however, was under my skin. I only left because of my mobility and pain issues.

A couple of months later, feeling demotivated, I knew I was in serious danger of losing the mobility I had left. So, in the New Year of 2022, I decided I would attempt the 5k Race Against Hunger to raise funds for the Trussell Trust and Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank.

I trained the best I could with my partner, but my motivation was still low and I was struggling. I had days when I was simply in too much pain to walk at all.

It was proving so much more difficult than I had had expected.

I really thought with practice it would get easier – but that just wasn’t the case.

My memory is not quite what it was, but I reconnected with a fabulous young friend I had found a few years earlier – Teri Elder.

She was organising park walks on Tuesdays with some of her Walk Talk Action participants, who were walking for better mental and physical health.

Teri invited me to join her walkers – and I agreed.

How lucky was I?

Teri and the WTA participants kept telling me that I could do the 5k. And to support me further, they were doing it with me.

Walking and chatting to other people – some of whom were also struggling and some who were more able – really did make a huge difference.

I felt part of something and I felt supported. Surprisingly, I was experiencing less pain most of the time.

Joining Teri’s 10-Step programme with WTA was the secret component I needed to be motivated to continue training walks throughout the week.

Teri and the WTA participants were my drivers. The people who told me, repeatedly, that I could do the 5k.

And not only that I could do it – but they were doing it with me!

Towards the time of the race, my pain issues started to reoccur and I was struggling to reach the 5k target.

I still hadn’t achieved it – even once – before the day of the Race Against Hunger.

“From low mobility and low mood, I was a 5k walker. I owe that achievement to Teri Elder, Walk Talk Action, and some really inspiring WTA participants who made this possible.

Sheila, 10-Step Programme participant.

Race day came and when I arrived at the park to do my measured 5k, I was so worried I wouldn’t make the distance. But the whole team were there carrying fabulous supportive and inspiring banners they had made specially.

With supportive cheers, they were ready to walk me through my very own marathon – and they did it.

And I did it too… against all odds.

From low mobility and low mood, I was a 5k walker. I owe that achievement to Teri Elder, Walk Talk Action, and some really inspiring WTA participants who made this possible.

I am now awaiting a 2^nd knee replacement in the next year or two, but keeping mobile until then.

Once the surgery and recovery is over, I will be calling Teri once more to help me achieve my next 5k.

And possibly the one after that, too!