Teri Bryce and Walk Talk Action CIC – Civic Pride, Community Group of the Year and Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year nomination
Teri Bryce and Walk Talk Action CIC – Civic Pride, Community Group of the Year and Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year nomination
People sometimes tell Teri Bryce that they wouldn’t still be here if they hadn’t received the support of Walk Talk Action CIC, an organisation she founded.
A former Army combat medic, Teri set up Walk Talk Action to share the coping strategies she used to work through her own problems.
The mum-of-three, from Meir Heath, gave up her job as an ambulance driver in 2019 to work full-time on Walk Talk Action. She had found that being outdoors helped with her own anxiety, trauma and postnatal depression and knew that other people could benefit too.
The group, based at Fenpark, has helped all sorts of people with all sorts of problems including people with depression, postnatal depression, anxiety, midlife crisis, PTSD, isolation and loneliness. She supports all members of the community including veterans.
She gets people outdoors to walk, talk and learn coping techniques to work through their problems one step at a time.
Teri secured a significant National Lottery grant for the group, was gifted a plot of land by the owners of Fenpark Fields and secured the donation of a portable cabin by Churnet Valley Railway to use as a retreat.
Walk Talk Action CIC has been nominated as a Community Group of the Year in the Your Heroes Awards and Teri has been nominated both in the Civic Pride category and as a Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year.
One nominator said: “I would like to nominate Teri in recognition of the life-changing impact she has on people throughout our community. Teri dedicates an incredible amount of her time to helping people overcome challenges, improve their wellbeing and take positive steps towards a better future. Through her 10 Step Programme she provides support, encouragement and practical guidance to people who are often struggling with difficult circumstances and looking for hope.
“What makes Teri truly special is her unwavering commitment to helping others. She regularly goes above and beyond what would ever be expected of a volunteer, often working around the clock to find solutions and provide support to those who need it most. No matter how busy she is she always makes time to listen, offer advice and help people find a way forward.
“Many have said that Teri has completely transformed their lives, helping them regain confidence, improve their mental wellbeing and believe in themselves again. Some have even stated that without the support, compassion and guidance she provided during their darkest times, they would not be here today.
“Teri never seeks recognition for what she does. She simply wants to help people build happier, healthier and more positive lives. Her passion, dedication and selflessness have had a profound impact on countless individuals and families, creating lasting change within the community.
“For her tireless commitment, exceptional kindness and the genuine difference she makes to so many lives, I cannot think of anyone more deserving of being recognised.”
Walk Talk Action’s National Lottery funding comes to an end on December 8. Teri has already secured some Coalfields Regeneration Trust funding and is working on other funding sources to ensure the services can continue.
She said: “I live and breathe Walk Talk Action CIC. It’s my life. It’s really nice that people would take the time to make a Your Heroes Awards nomination. It’s been a few years of working hard and getting things done.
“I’m big on thanking people for helping us, no matter what that help is and how small it may seem. It’s just overwhelming to receive this sort of thank you as it’s supposed to be me doing the thanking.”
Teri added: “Walk Talk Action has helped me so much and has really helped my own mental health. We get told that we’re making a big difference to other people’s lives just because we’ve taken the time to sit down and listen to them.
“I started this because my own life has been so confusing. By working through the good and the bad in all the chapters of my life it’s helped me to focus on the good and the productive rather than dwelling on the bad.”