Worcestershire Health Walks

Worcestershire Health Walks are free, easy, accessible, and local. Health walks are between 30-90 minutes long, you can walk at your own pace and you do not need any specialised equipment. Joining a health walk group is a great way to improve your health and to make new friends. Our health walk groups are friendly and welcome all ages and levels of fitness. You do not need to book just turn up 10-15 minutes before the walk is due to start. For further information about health walks visit Worcestershire Health Walks website www.worcestershire.gov.uk/healthwalks or Lynn Yendell - Health Walks Officer Telephone 01905 844945 or Email LYendell@worcestershire.gov.uk

What is a health walk?

A health walk is a short, purposeful walk undertaken on a regular basis. Walking at any speed can be beneficial and can improve health conditions and be good for the heart as well as improving levels of activity. As well as improving physical wellbeing our walks can help improve mental wellbeing by providing an opportunity to socialise and a distraction from everyday stress.

Walkers are encouraged to walk at their own speed so they are comfortable and able to enjoy the walk. Walk groups offer alternate routes and distances to allow this to happen.

Worcestershire Health Walks aim to improve the county's health and well-being by encouraging more people to become physically active through the simplest form of exercise, walking. The scheme introduces walking through a series of local short group walks led by a trained volunteer walk leader for people with a low level of activity or a long-term health condition.

Our health walks are:

• free
• accessible, sociable and welcoming to all
• held over easy terrain and accessible to different abilities
• at least 10 minutes long and no longer than 90 minutes
• start at the same time and place
• local and easily accessible by foot or local public transport

Some walking groups have a selection of walks from various locations, details of which can be provided by the walk leader.