Walking for Health

Health Walks in Mendip

Walking provides a fantastic opportunity to achieve the current activity guidelines which are '30 minutes of moderate physical activity on 5 or more days of the week'. In Mendip we are trying to develop regular health walks from various venues and for all age groups.

Walks in Mendip can range from 20 - 60 minutes and take place in Wells, Shepton, Frome, Chilcompton and Street. The walks are lead by a qualified leader and everyone is encouraged to walk at a pace that is comfortable for them.

For walks taking place in the Mendip area, please click on the links to the right of this page.

Walking is beneficial for;

Health: walking strengthens your heart, your bones and your muscles and it helps to control your weight.
Wealth: walking is free and will enrich your life in many ways.
Happiness: walking improves your mood and helps combat depression.
Comfort: go for a walk in your local park or wood and discover how nature can reduce stress and calm your mind.
Joy: walk with friends or join a walking group to discover just how much fun walking can be!

Becoming a volunteer health walk leader

In order to become a leader you will need to attend a free 1 day training course and attend a short first aid course.

The training course covers how to lead/pace of walk, risk assessing routes, health and safety and it also covers the benefits of walking.

Would you be interested in leading health walks in Mendip? Health walks are walks of varying length and intensity designed to encourage sedentary people to become more active.

• Walks are risk assessed by leaders prior to provision

• Length of walk can be anything from 10 - 60 minutes

• On the doorstep

• Have 2 leaders - one leading and one behind

• Taking a register and providing information on the route due to be undertaken.

• Insurance is provided once the walk leader training has been completed.

How much time do I have to commit?

There is no limit to how much time you commit, it is down to the individual and your availability and location you wish to lead to walks in.

ALL WALK PROGRAMMES WILL START AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2009

Contact

Last Updated

23 July 2010

Page last updated on 23 July 2010