Shropshire's Health walk schemes win national accolade

Shropshire currently has the greatest number of accredited Walking the way to Health Schemes in the West Midlands.

So far eight schemes across Shropshire have been awarded the accreditation by Walking the way to Health, a joint initiative between Natural England and the British Heart Foundation.

The schemes have become accredited over the last couple of months having successfully demonstrated that they meet the required criteria. This includes offering led walks for beginners, meeting the “Walking the way to Health” safety and insurance standards for all walks, and collecting basic monitoring information.

As an accredited scheme, they will benefit from being seen as part of a nationally evaluated initiative as well as being formally recognised by health professionals, prospective partners and funders.

Barbara Craig, Cabinet member for community services said: “As a result of Shropshire County Council’s Walking for Life! Project, Shropshire is currently the flagship county for Walking the way to Health in the West Midlands. Walking for Life! is there to ensure that new groups develop where they are needed and that Walking the way to Health remains accessible as a walking group for those who need that extra support to maintain or increase their physical activity level.’’

Sarah Arden, Shropshire County Council’s Walking for Life! Project Officer - who acts as a county co-ordinator for the Walking for Health groups, said: “It is fantastic to see the Walking for Health groups in Shropshire achieve these awards and it is a reflection of the hard work put in by volunteer walks leaders and scheme co-ordinators across the county. We currently have 24 different organised walks in the county ranging from 30 minutes up to 2 hours, with new groups developing all the time.”

William Bird, Strategic Health Advisor for Natural England said: “The new accreditation scheme has been essential in ensuring high standards across the WHI network and providing frontline health professionals with added confidence when referring their patients on.”

All the Walking for Health groups welcome new walkers throughout the year.

To walk with one of the groups or train as a Walking the way to Health Volunteer Walk Leader please contact Sarah Arden at The Walking for Life! Project on 01743 255059 or sarah.arden@shropshire.gov.uk.

16 July 2008