No, the walks are free, but for some locations there is a charge for car parking, and you will need to purchase your own food and drink at the café stop.
No. Unless it is your first walk, you do not need to let us know if you are coming on a walk; just arrive at the starting point at the appropriate time.
However, if you are coming on your first walk, we ask that you phone Dennis or Sarah in advance so that our volunteer leader can look out for you. Tel: 07731997683
If you have phoned us in advance, we should have told you the name of the volunteer leaders for your first walk.
When you arrive at the starting point for your first walk, look out for our volunteer leaders who will be wearing yellow Hi-Viz tabards that have the hospice logo printed on the back.
If there is a late change to a walk, for example a traffic problem that affects walkers reaching the start point on time, we will send out a WhatsApp message to the Walk On WhatsApp walkers group.
We will also endeavour to text or phone those who don’t use WhatsApp, but this cannot be guaranteed.
We encourage all our walkers to join our Walk On WhatsApp group.
Yes, but, unless you choose to use taxis, not all walks will be available to you.
The start and end point of some walks can be accessed by public transport. Below are some examples, but please check with bus and train websites for up-to-date timetables:
- The regular Monday morning walk, that starts from The Hub (opposite The University of Suffolk) can be reached by any bus that goes into Tower Ramparts or bus nos. 1, 2 or 3 to Duke St. and Bishop’s Hill.
- The Suffolk Food Hall can be reached via the 97, 98 and 92 buses which stop at the end of the food hall drive (Wherstead Red House stop)
- Trains from Ipswich station stop at Melton Railway Station which is very close to The Riverside car park from which some walks start.
You will read on the Walk On website that our walks start in a wide variety of locations, please check bus and train timetables for other options.
If your only option is to have a lift from another walker, please phone 07731997683. Dennis or Sarah will endeavour to pair you up with another walker who can provide a lift. Please note that we will need plenty of notice to assist with this and we cannot guarantee to find someone.
No, if it is raining and, walkers have appropriate boots and jackets, we will walk.
Yes, if walking would be dangerous, for example, flooding, snow or high winds.
If a walk is cancelled, we will:
- Send out a WhatsApp message.
- Ask the hospice to show the walk as cancelled on the website.
- Try to arrange for a leader to be at the start of the cancelled walk to speak to any walkers who have left home before the decision to cancel is made.
If in doubt phone 07731997683.
If it is safe to do so, please message or phone us 07731997683 and we will advise you.
If it is safe to do so, please message or phone us 07731997683 and we will advise you.
No, Walk On is an adult (over 18 years-old) only walking group.
Children are welcome at the Family Walks organised by St Elizabeth Hospice Living Grief 565 service in collaboration with Walk On volunteers. These will be advertised on the Walk On page of the hospice website.
Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome, but please note that not all cafes allow dogs inside.
If the café stop is at the end of the walk, you could leave your dog in your car or have your coffee outside.
If the café stop is at the half-way point, and does not allow dogs inside, you will need to have your coffee outside, but don’t worry others will happily join you!
Try not to worry, our Walk On leaders and the members of our group are used to participants becoming emotional. The group was established to provide support for those experiencing the pain of grief and loss following the death of a loved one.
You won’t be the first walker to become emotional and you won’t be the last.
Except for the Monday morning walks from The Hub, we would advise you to wear comfortable walking shoes or boots. We will advise you if the terrain is likely to be uneven and/or muddy; some of our walkers find walking poles helpful.
For any other questions, please contact our volunteer Walk On leaders Dennis and Sarah 07731997683