Breadcrumbs
Over a million walk their way to health - 11 October 2005
More than 350 walking for health schemes have now been established, 150 more than the original goal, and more than a million people have taken advantage of this scheme to walk more and stay healthy.
Pam Warhurst, Deputy Chair for the Countryside Agency says: “The Walking the Way to Health Initiative is credit to the individuals and community groups who have helped people get out, get healthy and enjoy being outdoors. I know how difficult it can be to fit in the time to exercise, but walking is an easy and effective way of keeping active. The initiative also offers the chance to meet new people, helping bring together neighbours and communities regardless of age or background.”
WHI was launched in September 2000 and is a joint venture between the Countryside Agency and the British Heart Foundation. Initially conceived as a five-year project, WHI’s success and popularity has led the Countryside Agency to offer additional funding to continue to provide our WHI services to existing schemes and to explore further funding at both a national and local level.
Of the 350 WHI schemes across the country, some 200 are using our grant aid, others have been self-funding, but have used our services and expertise to set themselves up. Eighty per cent of the funding was allocated to areas of disadvantage. Grants range from just a few hundred pounds to support a group of local volunteers, to more than £100,000 to promote and develop walking for health across a whole city.
Regional events include:
- Seven Sisters Country Park in the South East: This event will take place at the Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex, on Wednesday 12th October when between 250 and 350 walkers from WHI schemes across the South East and London to take part in a number of different walk designed for all levels of walkers. There will be a mass start at 11.30am, launched from a large heart shaped enclosure, and this will form the main media focus for the day.
- Conkers Waterside Centre in the East Midlands: A celebration of walking will take place at Conkers Waterside Centre on 12th October. A number of walk groups have already been involved in producing information about their group and achievements over the last five years which will be displayed on a large map of the region at the event, alongside their walks programme and other information about walking in the region.
Other regions are celebrating the 5th anniversary of WHI in the New Year, and are planning events to kick start resolutions for healthy living. The public can find their local WHI group by to: www.WHI.org.uk
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Walking the way to Health is part of the Landscape/Access/Recreation branch of the Countryside Agency and will transfer to the new Natural England organisation in 2007
For more information, interviews and photographs contact the Countryside Agency press office:
Beth Rose – 01242 533306/07900 608 052
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Notes to Editors:
Following publication of the draft Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill in February, English Nature, the Rural Development Service and the Countryside Agency’s Landscape, Access and Recreation division are working towards integration as a single body: Natural England. It will work for people, places and nature with responsibility for enhancing biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas; promoting access, recreation and public wellbeing, and contributing to the way natural resources are managed – so they can be enjoyed now and for future generations.
English Nature is the independent Government agency that champions the conservation of wildlife and geology throughout England.
The Rural Development Service is the largest deliverer of the England Rural Development Programme and a range of advisory and regulatory rural services. With the administration of a multi-million pound grant budget for schemes which support land management, rural businesses and rural communities, the Rural Development Service is the single largest organisation working for the benefit of rural areas in England.
The Countryside Agency’s Landscape, Access and Recreation division aims to help everyone respect, protect and enjoy the countryside – protecting natural landscapes; and encouraging access to, enjoyment of and sustainable management and use of the countryside.
