Healthicare Medical Practice: Uniting friendship and better health for the community

Healthicare is a medical practice based in Rooty Hill, New South Wales.  Practice assistant, Camelia Najjar started a walking group in order to support greater connection and wellbeing for the practice patients.  After a year of walking, the group continues to grow and experience the benefits of regular walking.

In your experience, what are the most noticeable changes you've seen in the walkers in terms of their physical and mental well-being since joining the group? 

Healthicare’s Heart Foundation Walking Group started just over a year ago. Our regular walkers have demonstrated significant improvement. For example, one of our regular walkers, a 76-year-old female, was only able to walk for 10 minutes initially before she had to stop. Now, I’m so proud to see her walking for over 40 minutes. This is a huge achievement and has helped to restore this walker’s confidence in her health and wellbeing! 

How do you encourage new participants to feel comfortable and welcomed, especially those who may be hesitant to join due to health concerns 

At Healthicare, our Heart Foundation Walking Group is about more than just walking—it’s about connection. We see it as a social group where community members come together to encourage and support one another. It’s not about competition but about enjoying the walk, the conversation, and the company. I always reassure those who are hesitant that they can walk at a pace that feels right for them while enjoying the safety and beauty of our walking tracks. 

What have been some of the biggest challenges in running the group and how have you overcome them? 

One of our biggest challenges is the weather, as our walking paths are out in the open around our clinic’s suburb. Heat and rain can be tricky, but we find ways to adapt. On light rainy days, we put on our raincoats and enjoy a refreshing walk. In summer, we start at 10 AM to stay ahead of the heat. Our walkers are always kept informed through our WhatsApp group, and for those who prefer, we also have the option of walking under the sheltered area at Healthicare. 

Healthicare’s Heart Foundation Walking Group is helping our community come together, especially supporting those who may feel vulnerable, such as older adults who want to stay active but don’t have a walking companion. Walking for one hour each week is making a real difference in managing chronic conditions like diabetes, mental health challenges, and obesity. 

Our walkers are always excited to get moving—it’s such a fun and welcoming group! We have members of all ages and abilities, plus our dog friends who join us on our walks. I’ve seen incredible improvements, like a 76-year-old member growing stronger over time. But the biggest change I’ve noticed is in our walkers’ mental well-being. Social connection is vital for everyone, and by running this walking group every week, we’re helping to create a supportive and uplifting space for our community. 

 What kinds of feedback have you received from the participants regarding their health improvements or the benefits of the group? 

The feedback from our participants has been overwhelmingly positive. The biggest evidence of impact of our walking group is that members are recommending it to their friends and family. They’re noticing real improvements in their health and love the welcoming, fun atmosphere. Friendships are forming, and our group continues to grow each week, showing just how much this initiative means to our community. 

 Can you share any stories where participants have inspired one another or supported each other in ways that have helped them continue on their health journeys? 

Our walking group is more than just exercise—it’s a supportive community where members uplift and inspire each other on their health journeys. Many participants openly share their experiences, offering encouragement and hope to those facing similar challenges. Whether it’s someone overcoming health obstacles, achieving personal fitness milestones, or simply finding a sense of belonging, their stories highlight the power of connection. At Healthicare, our mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle and support our members in improving their overall well-being, and it’s incredible to see how the group embodies this every week. 

 What’s been the most rewarding part of seeing the group grow and evolve over the year? 

I have loved seeing our Healthicare Heart Foundation Walking Group grow, which I think highlights that people are thinking differently about their health as well as the services they are able to access via their local medical hub, Healthicare. The most rewarding part of our walking group is noticing the improvements in our participants’ mental and physical health. I am also thrilled to see friendships forming and seeing that Healthicare is really helping in bringing the community together. The plan is to continue walking and have more participants join in, as well as introduce new and unique activities to make things more challenging and exciting in the future.