The Conversation Starter Project (CSP) host free walk and talk sessions in the park every Wednesday morning. Here’s what it’s about:
The CSP was set up by Founder psychologist Dr Tara Quin-Cirillo in 2021 in response to the pandemic, who was then joined by mindfulness coach Shirley Blanch as co-founder.What we do
We host free walk and talk sessions in Horsham Park every Weds 10 -11am and Friday 12-12.40pm meeting at The Human Nature Garden and monthly walks in Southwater meeting in Lintot Square (days and times for Southwater vary).
What is the aim of the walks?
To reduce the impact of loneliness and isolation, introduce participants to real-time mindfulness based tools that can be used outside of walks and empower people over their own health, emotional wellbeing and stress management.
Why it works.
Walking, talking and connection to nature are all proven to help health and wellbeing, mindfulness techniques also help with emotional regulation and stress management, plus fixed regular times help improve participants lives by providing consistency and routine. These walks also offer opportunities to build confidence and improve social and language skills, for those who might have been isolated or recently migrated to UK.
What makes our walks different?
There are a ton of walks out there, all offering amazing benefits, but as far as we’re aware our walks are the only ones underpinned by a psychology led framework. We also collaborate with other organisations to signpost our participants to other services.
Are the walks open to anyone?
Our walks are open to anyone over the age of 18, we stick to the paths and walk at a gentle pace so are suitable for most people. There’s no need to book, just turn up, we always meet in The Human Nature Garden. We love children and dogs but our walks are not suitable for them.
We are growing.
We now have two wonderful walk co-ordinators who have joined us. Rebecca Brazier is our Walk Co-ordinator 
for our Wednesday walks and Ian Dines is our Walk Co-ordinator for Southwater. We are very grateful to have them.
What our participants say.
“I would like to say that walk and talk has changed my life. Not only has meeting for regular walks improved my mental health, but also my physical health. It gives me something to look forward to each week and I’ve made some amazing lifelong friends there too. There is a terrific mix of ages, sexes etc. and it’s impossible not to not make friends. I’d recommend it to anyone and, in fact, regularly do”
As we grow and our project expands we are looking to the future which involves expanding our walk and talks, working with other organisations to help support the community as well as offering training and consultancy to fund future expansion offering free wellbeing and meditation sessions in the local community and beyond.
If you would like to know more about the project please feel free to reach out via email here: [email protected]