​Make friends and get active on a Health Walk

An easy way to start walking for fun, improve your health and meet new people is to join a Worcestershire Health Walk. 

Everyone is welcome to join a Health Walk. They are free and all the walks are planned over easy terrain so anyone can join in. They range from 20 minutes to 90 minutes and most are accessible by foot or local public transport.  

Walkers are encouraged to walk at their own pace so they are confident and able to enjoy the walk.  

Walking at any speed can be beneficial and can improve health conditions as well as increasing levels of activity.  

As well as improving physical wellbeing, walking can also help with mental wellbeing by providing an opportunity to socialise with other walkers. 

Councillor Karen May, the cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, said: 

“I’m so proud of our Health Walks scheme here in Worcestershire. Health Walks are a fantastic way of getting some fresh air whilst making new friends at the same time. If you are looking to ease yourself into walking, this a great way to do it! There are over 30 locations in the county to choose from which are easy to get to by foot or public transport. So why not give a try!” 

 

Worcestershire Health Walks aim to improve the county’s health and wellbeing by encouraging more people to become active through the simplest form of exercise, walking.  

Lynn Yendell, Worcestershire Health Walks Co-ordinator added:   

“As Health Walks Co-ordinator, I’ve seen lots of people improve their levels of activity and become healthier after they join groups and walk regularly. Great friendships have been formed over the years too. Some people start out nervously joining a walk, but over time gain confidence and even start up Health Walks themselves. It’s wonderful to see.” 

 

Health Walks take place across the county. You can go on a walk in Redditch’s Arrow Valley, from Evesham Library, Worcester City Park, Kidderminster’s Springfield Park, Upton and Sanders Park in Bromsgrove to name a few. 

To find a Health Walk near you please go to the Health Walks pages of the County Council website where you can find out more.  

 

If you want to go that step further, you can become a volunteer walk leader for an existing group or even set up a new Health Walk group in your area.  

 

Volunteer Health Walks leaders receive special training to lead Health Walks in Worcestershire so they can run a safe, enjoyable walk for everyone.  

 

If you are interested in becoming a Health Walks leader, please call Lynn on 01905 844945 or email healthwalks@worcestershire.gov.uk. 

 

Worcestershire has some beautiful walks, and everyone is encouraged to share their walk this May on Worcestershire County Council’s social media.

Just go to the County Council's Facebook page or the County Council's Twitter page and use the hashtags #WalkingWorcestershire and #WalkThisMay.