West Midlands puts best foot forward this spring - healthy walks set to double in time for Olympics
15 March 2010
With just two years to go until the Olympics, local Walking for Health Schemes (WfH) are putting their best foot forward with an expansion of local walks to get you fitter, happier and healthier.
Natural England, the national body responsible for Walking for Health is working with the Department of Health on their ‘Change for Life Campaign’ to boost the number of people taking regular outdoor walks and to train walk leaders to support and encourage them.
There are regular short walks available throughout the West Midlands run by a local co-ordinator and volunteers, with support and advice from Natural England.
Angela Smith, Natural England’s Lead Adviser on Walking for Health and Green Exercise, for Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull, said: “We have walkers of all ages and abilities, from all backgrounds and circumstances and they all benefit hugely from structured, regular walks”.
Andrea who walks in Bideford on Avon joined her local scheme after the death of her daughter.
“I have lost a stone in weight and my breathing and agility are so much better. The walks have helped me overcome my grief and refocus on my own physical and mental health. I have now trained as a volunteer walk leader so that I can help others.” Last year she took part in the ‘Race for Life’ and is in the process of setting up a completely new health walk in Henley-in-Arden. (Andrea’s full story appears at the end of this release.)
Dawn Griffiths who leads Natural England’s Health team in the region said:
“Walks are key to staying fit and active, but our participants get much more than that from regular exercise. They make new friends, they begin to appreciate and enjoy the natural environment around them and they develop a sense of achievement, which often leads to other activities. GPs often advise regular walking after illness and there is growing evidence that it works on a variety of levels.”
“Childhood obesity, coronary heart disease stress and mental health problems can all be reduced and active adults halve their risk of dying early from heart disease but its vital that the walks are led and monitored, otherwise people either don’t progress or worse still, give up.”
“ With the ever growing pressure on our health services what better way of improving the health of people inThe West Midlands.“
Walks are all under an hour, midweek and at weekends, some of them in towns and some in more rural locations. WfH schemes collect basic data from a simple health questionnaire for each new walker.
There are already around 6,500 regular walkers with WfH across the West Midlands and this is set to double by 2012.
The first day of spring is 20th March – a perfect day to begin walking!
Details of WfH walks in the West Midlands can be found at www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk
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Press information from Judie Kellie 01299 896555 / 07973 744161 : judie@jkpr.co.uk Photos of WfH schemes can be supplied
Andrea’s story West Midlands
When Andrea, 64, joined Set the Pace health walks in Bidford-on-Avon, her daughter had recently died and she was finding it difficult to focus on her own wellbeing.
“I was hesitant at the start of the walk but found it a relaxing experience. The walk leaders seem to be able to assess when someone needs to be alone, needs company or needs encouragement. Slower walkers are made to feel an integral part of the group and the social contact is quite uplifting.“
Andrea then progressed to joining other local health walk groups and now builds her hectic diary around three weekly walks. One group follow their walk with an exercise session at the local swimming pool and, although Andrea was ashamed of her weight, she took the plunge and is now hooked.
“I have lost a stone in weight and my breathing and agility are so much better. The walks have helped me overcome my grief and refocus on my own physical and mental health. I have now trained as a volunteer walk leader so that I can help others.”
Her enthusiasm for walking is infectious and extends well beyond the led health walks. In addition to the supermarket trip, Andrea now makes several journeys on foot - to the Post Office, butchers and GP surgery - that she would previously have made by car and is busy encouraging her neighbours to do likewise.
Notes to editorsNatural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
