“Every Step Counts: Jenny’s Journey with WALX Dorset”

When Jenny Frankland joined WALX Dorset back in 2019, she was feeling low, lethargic, and unsure where to turn. Battling a lung disease, she struggled to find an activity she could both manage and enjoy. Walking was the answer —but walking alone made it all too easy not to push herself. So she joined WALX Dorset and completed her Power of Poles course in Corfe Castle on a cold February morning.

Since then, Jenny has become a regular walker and is now a familiar face among most of the WALX Dorset instructors.

In 2020, Jenny shared:

“The support and encouragement of the instructors has made all the difference. They taught me how to breathe well, how to improve balance and strength, how to take things at a pace suitable for me—and stayed with me every step of the way on my initial walks.
I’m now walking at a good pace for a number of miles and even climbing hills I never thought I could manage.
I can’t believe that I now really enjoy this exercise and feel amazing after every walk. I have great plans for the coming year, with new goals to achieve!”

Well, those goals have well and truly been achieved.

What Her Instructors Say

Here are just a few words from the WALX team who have walked alongside Jenny:

• “Jenny works incredibly hard on her fitness. Despite the occasional health setback, she soldiers on. She takes her time on the tough days and really pushes forward on the good ones.”
• “She often mentioned wanting to complete the Kingston Maurward loop but thought it might be too much. Recently, an opportunity arose—no time constraints and no one else on the walk—so we took the longer route. Jenny was glowing, not just from the effort but from pure joy at having gone and done it! Her smile was infectious!”
• “She’s great and a pleasure to walk with. I bought one of her paintings from the Purbeck Arts Festival this year—though I haven’t had a chance to tell her yet!”
• “Jenny is so positive about her walking, and it’s genuinely improved her chest condition.”
• “She’s a wonderful member of the group—kind, considerate, and patient. I even awarded her a Host Armband when she helped out during a Wellness session I covered.”
• “Jenny is a regular walker with me. She is not keen on the rain and wind, yet she still turns up, she is not keen on hills, but she does them. Jenny is a determined Walker, and is a great Ambassador for Walx. She is supportive of other members of the group and has a good sense of humour, often entertaining us with stories on our walks.”

Jenny’s journey is a testament to perseverance, community spirit, and the power of walking. She’s an inspiration—and a reminder that movement, support, and joy can transform lives.