Ceredigion are active dog walkers

We aim to make sure people are able to be active, contributing citizens of their community. We want to provide more opportunities for people we support to improve their health and wellbeing through involvement in their community and local activities. We believe this will contribute to them leading a happy, comfortable and fulfilled life with more choice.

Aberystwyth is a thriving community and we are working creatively to strengthen our existing relationships and build stronger links with other local people, organisations and businesses.

We know through feedback from the people we support, that many love dogs.

Area Manager Sally says: “Dog walking is a great way to get out and active in the community, and helps the people we support build friendships with others in the local community.”

To help us launch our first dog walking session we received funding from Mind’s Side by Side Cymru project, which offers small grants to promote peer support in the community. Branded T-shirts and flyers have made the group recognisable in the community, and have encouraged people to find out more and join the group.

The group is already having a positive impact on the lives of people we support, by offering them opportunities to do the things they love and socialise with new people they feel more empowered, fulfilled and active.

Alan says: “I haven’t walked a dog in so long that I can’t even remember the last time. I loved walking Mr Noodles at the Paws & Pals meet up. It was great to get out into the community and meet new people and their dogs.”