Healthy walks are now an integral part of staying healthy and
taking up physical activity in the South Staffordshire Area. The
natural beauty of the area lends itself to walking and there are
established independent walks in the south of the District. Many
Parishes also have routes around their local areas. Healthy Walks
will endeavour to utilise the natural surroundings whilst ensuring
that the walks meet the requirements to be a Healthy Walk.
Healthy Walks are to be expanded to give as many people as
possible the opportunity to take part in led and independent walks.
They will be designed for those people who get no or little
exercise at present. For those who wish to partake in more
challenging walks there will be several available throughout the
District. Local Rambler groups are also a good source of
information of walks in the District.
Current Walks
For the latest information on
current led walks please click
here.
Note: Comfortable
footwear and clothing should be worn, all walks will be on
footpaths.
Why Walk?
Walking is the one the most effective forms of exercise there
is. It is suitable for the majority of people whilst being fun and
safe at the same time.
Did you know that walking regularly at a brisk pace has the
following benefits for the individual?
- Burns as many calories as jogging the same distance.
- It can halve the risk of a Heart Attack or Stroke
- It can lower blood pressure
- Lower your cholesterol
- Help in weight management
- Help prevent Diabetes
- Helps to manage stress and improve self-esteem
Walking is of particular benefit to those sedentary people who
currently take no exercise. The latest research is showing that
leading a sedentary lifestyle is now as dangerous as smoking to
one's health.
Who benefits from Health Walks?
Simply, everyone can gain health benefits from walking.
However the following groups of people will benefit enormously from
walking regularly.
- Those displaying Coronary Heart Disease risk factors
- Older people
- Those with or recovering from mental health problems
- Isolated / Lonely people
- Overweight people
- People from ethnic minority groups
- People with sedentary lifestyles
So what are Health Walks?
A health walk is normally identified by the following key
elements.
- They are a maximum of a couple of miles and will take a maximum
of 1 hour.
- They allow everyone to walk at the their own pace
- The routes are accessible for people to walk as part of a led
Healthy Walk group or on their own.
- The routes are planned in advance and are risk assessed.
- During a led walk there will be 2 trained Volunteer Walk
Leaders (VWL). 1 will lead the group from the front at the pace of
the fastest walker and 1 will be at the back supporting the
slowest.
- The walk will be flat or have very low gradients; more
strenuous walks will be identified as such.
- Walkers should begin at a slow pace and gradually build up to
their brisk pace if they can, before slowing down again for the
last 5 minutes to allow a cool down.
- The majority of the walk should be at a moderate level; walkers
should feel warm and be breathing slightly faster. They should
however be able to hold a conversation comfortably. If they can't
they should be encouraged to slow down.
- Walk Leaders should advise on other benefits of walking should
be highlighted e.g. Posture.
- There should be a social aspect to a led walk e.g. tea/coffee
at the end of the walk.
Links
Main Contact
Health and Wellbeing Team
Environmental Health (Commercial) Services
Telephone: (01902) 696685
Fax: (01902) 696222
Email: s.squire@sstaffs.gov.uk