Councillor Mohammed Khan
Published Monday 9 February 2015 at 15:16
A Blackburn with Darwen Council walking scheme has been nationally recognised for the quality service it provides for local walkers.
Walk This Way, delivered by the Council’s Healthy Lifestyles team, has been given accredited status by Walking for Health – a nationwide movement run by the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support dedicated to improving the nation’s health through walking.
Walking for Health accreditation endorses the quality of the walk experience and support – with walkers assured that they’re in safe hands with fully trained walk leaders.
Walk This Way, funded by the Council’s Public Health and re:fresh teams, has been running for 12 years and offers eighteen walks a week; achieving over 6000 attendances from local people each year. Walks are delivered by a small team supported by dedicated volunteers.
Walking counts towards the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity people should be doing each week. Only 61% of adults in England are currently meeting this recommendation but walking offers a free and simple solution.
Councillor Mohammed Khan, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care said:
I’m delighted the walks have been accredited by Walking for Health. Our volunteer walk leaders help all sorts of people to enjoy the many health benefits that regular walking brings, providing support every step of the way.
Our walkers have a great deal of fun, making new friends and getting to know their local area. Many of us know we should be more active, so why not join in and let us welcome you along to our next walk.
The news comes on the back of the Healthy Lifestyles team’s cycle club also being accredited by British Cycling.
For more information on Walk This Way visit: http://www.refreshbwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Walks-This-Way-2015-Jan-March-Final.pdf