GENTLE WALKING TO HELP YOU GET FIT
| Published: 10th March 2008 14:27 |
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
