Devon County Council

Bideford Walk and Talk

March Programme (330KB - pdf help)

 

“An opportunity for everyone, and we really do mean everyone to join us and start to improve their health!”

Our aim

The aim of the scheme is to encourage people from all walks of life to improve their health and well being by taking regular exercise.  This exercise is obtained through walking, something we all do, or have done at some stage in our lives.

Who is organising the scheme?

Torridge District Council and NDCCS are co-ordinating the Bideford Health Walks Programme, part of the Torridge District Health Walking Scheme.  We are supported by other partners including South West Forest and the Travel Wise team from Devon County Council (whose ethos of reduced car use we advocate through our scheme).

Why, what are the benefits?

What makes our walks beneficial is the fact that we encourage walking and talking.  On our walks you get fitter and make new friends and socialise with like minded people.  

Our walks are graded, so you can select the ones that you feel comfortable with, we check the route so they are safe and have no barriers, (like stiles or steep inclines). We have trained leaders one in front and one at back who make sure everyone keeps on the right track!  We do all the organising, so all you have to do is concentrate on walking (but taking usual care when crossing roads etc).

Who can walk?

For most of us walking is easy, for some less so, our walks are tailored to provide for the needs of all abilities, so fast and slow walkers can walk together with confidence.  No one gets lost or feels isolated, each individual walks at their own pace and you will generally find that someone will be walking with you!  

Our walks are suitable for mums, dads, nan’s and grandads and we welcome pushchairs and wheelchairs.  Our walks are ideal for people convalescing after illness, (just let your GP know you are joining us) they can help if you need to re-build confidence.  They can help if you want to loose weight, they are great for making new friends or want to get out and about in a safe and comfortable group and they are perfect if you simply feel out of condition.

What are the walks like?

Each walk is graded none are more than 2 to 3 miles long or take more than 1 ½ hours, on average they are about a mile and last ¾ hour.  Walks start and finish at the same spot and are generally from a public place with parking and access to public transport (more information is available on the programme).

What happens on a walk?

The walk is led by a trained volunteer who knows the route, another leader remains at the back (who also knows the route). We start to walk at our usual pace for the first 5 to 10 minutes, to allow us to warm up.  We then up the pace just a little to slightly raise the heart rate, but if you can’t walk and talk without getting puffed out, then you are over doing it so slow down.  

The group may string out a bit as faster walkers go on ahead, but you simply follow those in front along the route (markers can be put down to ensure you stay on course) but if unsure of the way, you simply stop and wait for the rear leader.  10 minutes before the end of the walk we slow down again to allow the heart rate to get back to normal before we stop.

We then disperse, although some walkers go off for a cup of tea or coffee and continue the social thing, which is fine by us!

By making a little extra effort and walking more regularly and in a slightly more structured way, you will be surprised at just how much better you will feel.  Eventually we hope you will begin to walk independently, maybe start leaving the car at home.  When you are ready talk to your walk co-ordinator and they will help you with your next step….