Walking for Health

Walking is described by health experts as 'almost perfect exercise'; requiring no special equipment or expense, walking is an ideal way for most people to become more active.

'Walking the way to Health' Initiative (WHI) aims to get more people walking in their own communities, especially those who take little exercise or live in areas of poor health.

Nuneaton & Bedworth Leisure Trust will be promoting walking within the Borough with events throughout the coming year. We currently have eight active guided walks throughout the week in Nuneaton and Bedworth, with plans to increase that number throughout 2010 and thereafter. We will also be working to increase the number of walks centred within local communities and lead by volunteers from within those communities; offering free training and support to those involved.

Why not join one of our free walks? 

Our walks are held weekly throughout the year and all abilities are welcome. They are led by Walk Leaders who are trained to help you achieve a walk suited to your own requirements. Just turn up 15 minutes early on the day of your first walk, introduce yourself to a walk leader, fill out a simple health questionnaire and then you can walk with us every week on any walk you wish!

The following walks run throughout the year as detailed.

Interested in volunteering? We need you!

Do you?
Like fresh air and being active?
Enjoy nature and being outdoors?
Want to help your community get fitter or lose weight?
Enjoy meeting new people?
Want some free training and experience of working with people?
 
If the answer to these questions is yes then becoming a VOLUNTEER WALK LEADER may be what you’re looking for.
 
We offer FREE walk leader training.
It takes only one day and includes advice on leading groups of walkers on short walks and why walking is so good for you.
 
All we ask in return is:
A small commitment of your time to lead a walk as often as you are able to. You just take a register and guide the walk; Nuneaton and Bedworth Leisure Trust will support, administer and advertise your walks. We also hold regular meetings and a programme of social events for volunteers with refreshments provided free of charge.

One walk leader explains why she joined the scheme 10 years ago:
"I started out as a walker at Riversley Park shortly after I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2001. I saw an article about the walking scheme in the local paper and I knew it was my type of exercise. I was persuaded to do walk leader training and the rest as they say is history! I look forward to Tuesday mornings as I have made some good friends amongst the leaders and walkers and physically I am much fitter. "

Coming Soon

Nordic Walking

Nordic walking uses poles in order to add two major benefits to walking:

• The us of poles means the upper body muscles are used as well as the legs.
• The poles help to propel the walker along - this means he/she works harder than usual yet the support given by the poles makes it feel easier.

Nordic walking is a specific fitness technique and is not to be confused with trekking or hill walking as the poles are not planted in front of the walker but in a specific way that increases the use of the upper body. It can be done by anybody, anywhere and does not require expensive equipment or chlothing.

Taster sessions will be coming soon so if you would like to sign up for more information please contact Commuity Walking Coordinator.

Buggy Walks

Buggy walks are a great opportunity to get out in the fresh air, meet new people and explore your local area. Walks are specially designed for parents with little ones; all routes are suitable for buggies. Led by trained volunteer Walk Leaders, these free walks run every week to help you establish a regular exercise routine.

If you are interested in having a buggy walk in your area or from your children's centre, contact the Walking Coordinator who can help you set up and support a buggy walk.

Way marked mile walks

A series of one mile walks are soon to be way marked in Nuneaton & Bedworth for the whole community to use. These will be in Wembrook, Riversley Park, the George Elliot Hospital and Bedworth Miners' Welfare Park. More information will be published on the website as the walks are marked.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Community Walking Coordinator
Betty Rhodes
Tel: 02476400585
email:  walking@nbleisuretrust.org

Disclaimer - All our walks are lead by volunteer walk leaders, in the rare event that no walk leader is present we cannot accept responsibility for the inconvenience if the walk does not take place. However we do make every endeavour to make sure this doesn't happen.