News
09 May 2009Walking Works Wonders
Physically active people are up to 50% less likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke, but over 70% of us are not active enough to benefit. In South Tyneside Groundwork has developed an innovative walking programme to help people to lead more active life styles.
Walking Works Wonders is a network of free health walks across South Tyneside particularly for people who take little exercise. It works by promoting regular short walks to do in around people’s communities .
The definition of a health walk is that it takes no longer than an hour in length, walking at a brisk pace for around 3-4 miles, which aims to get the heart working but participants are still able to carry on a conversation.
Walking can improve heart health, stamina, stress levels and overall fitness . To get health benefits from walks you only need to walk for 30 minutes, 5 days a week. But if it suits your lifestyle more to break this down into three sessions of 10minutes walking in a day you can still get the benefits.
Working Works Wonders can also provide opportunities for the participants to discover their local heritage as well as well as making available to the public special interest walks, such as the discovering the coastline, wildlife walks, and photography walks.
Richard Laverick, Green Gym and Health Walks Project Officer at Groundwork speaks of the programme saying:
“It’s a great project- we get on average over 200 walkers a month taking part and we’ve received excellent feedback from health practitioners and walkers alike.”
“People have the option of over 10 walks a week for 11 months of the year in and around South Tyneside. And it not only helps people to be more active, it also provides opportunities for walkers to socialise and meet new people.”
Walking Works Wonders builds on the successes of previous Groundwork walking initiatives. Groundwork recruit volunteers and provide them with the relevant training and mentor support to become walk leaders.
The programme works alongside many organisations such as Choosing Health, and Mental Health Trusts. It also complements GP referral schemes and other projects within the Tyne & Wear Health Action Zone. For information on walks or to book on a walk contact Alene Jauncey, Richard Laverick or Fred Baines on 0191 428 1144 or at stan@groundwork.org.uk
