20 January 2012
Short walks
Overwhelming evidence shows that physical activity is beneficial for health and can help reduce the impact of many medical conditions. Being physically active also helps to gain and maintain independence.
Huntingdonshire Health Walks Scheme is part of the national initiative Walking for Health run by Huntingdonshire District Council’s sport and active lifestyles team in partnership with the Cambridgeshire NHS, and supported by Change4Life; helping families to get fit and healthy.
The Health Walks Scheme has been growing in popularity since it first started in 2003. Now more than 500 people a year walk with the scheme with walks lasting from 20 to 60 minutes. The aim of the walks is to improve health and well-being, and provide walkers with an opportunity to socialise.
The scheme has now introduced short walks in Ramsey, St Ives and St Neots once a month to welcome newcomers. These walks are easier for people who may find it difficult to walk longer distances, or wish to walk at a slower pace. They last 20 to 30 minutes and are on flat surfaces suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Walks are supported by trained volunteer health walk leaders who lead the way and make sure no-one is left behind, and everyone is encouraged to walk at their own comfortable pace.
Walks will take place at 10am in:
Ramsey on Mondays, meeting at Ramsey Library, 25 Great Whyte, Ramsey, PE26 1HG on 6 February, 5 March and 2 April;
St Ives on Wednesdays, meeting at One Leisure, St Ives Indoor, Westwood Road, St Ives, PE27 6WU on 1 February, 7 March and 4 April; and
St Neots on Tuesdays, meeting at Riverside car park, St Neots, PE19 7HD on 21 January, 28 February, 27 March, and 24 April.
Councillor Tom Sanderson, Executive Councillor for Healthy and Active Communities, said: “I have met a number of health walkers who have expressed their enjoyment in attending the scheme for its health benefits. Once you attend a walk you will keep coming back.”
Walkers are asked to arrive 10 minutes early prior to the start of their first walk to fill in a short health questionnaire, or complete one online using the link on the right. The new January-April brochure is available online or at various locations across the district. For further information on the health walks scheme call Rachel Tucker on 01480 387047 or email her using the link on the right or visit Health walks web pages using the link of the right.