Gentle walking to help you get fit (March 7, 2008)
New gentle, short walks are being introduced for people living in
the Felixstowe area who find that they cannot manage walking long
distances but would still like to walk to keep fit.
The walks will last about half an hour and
will start and finish at Felixstowe Leisure Centre. They will take
place on the last Wednesday of each month, starting at 10am and the
first walk will be on Wednesday, April 30.
“We know walking improves both mental and
physical well-being and Stepping Out guided walks have been
designed for people who are recovering from an illness, have
arthritis or joint pain, want to get fit or just as a means of
making new friends,” said Councillor Sherrie Green, Suffolk Coastal
Local Strategic Partnership Board member.
“The walks, some of which are suitable for
wheelchairs or pushchairs, are led by trained volunteers who will
talk with each walker before starting to check that it is within
their capabilities. There is also a volunteer who walks at the back
of the group to make sure that slower members do not get lost or
neglected,” continued Councillor Green.
Suffolk Coastal District Council, Suffolk
Primary Care Trust and members from the voluntary and community
sector have developed Stepping Out health walks across the
district, ranging from ones on easy, flat good surfaces to more
challenging ones which may include steeper slopes and rough
ground.
In addition to the organised walks there are
three routes in the district at Felixstowe, Woodbridge and
Aldeburgh which have been marked up as health walks that people can
do on their own. These are recognisable by the ‘Stepping Out’ logo
and show the distance walked in half-mile intervals. More
marked health walks are planned for those who want achievable and
safe walks for their ability.
For more information on the ‘Stepping Out’
walks, health walks in general, or becoming a volunteer walk leader
contact Sharon Jarrett, Suffolk Coastal’s Health Improvement
Manager, on 01394 444697 or Zeta Wright or Althea Unthank, Health
Walk Co-ordinators on 01394 444501. The programme of health
walks in the district can be viewed on Suffolk Coastal’s website
www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourfreetime/steppingout