Walking

Walk for Health

Do you need to improve your general health, lose weight or just make new friends?

Why not join the many people in Basingstoke who are already “Walking for Health” each week.

Walking for Health is a national initiative – a partnership between the British Heart Foundation and Natural England - working towards encouraging physical activity for everyone.

We want to encourage people from all ‘walks’ of life to come and enjoy our programme, especially those people who at present are taking part in little or no exercise.

The walk programme is a gentle way to begin to exercise. All walks are led by a trained walk leader and have a back marker, so no matter what your pace you can join in our friendly walks.

The walks have developed an inviting social side to the programme. Many people who joined the scheme have made new friends and enjoy not only the physical benefits but also the opportunity to chat to fellow walkers. After many of the walks there is the opportunity to enjoy socialising with refreshments.

Getting the most from Health Walks

To get the most from your walk, please read the following guidelines. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact one of the Health Walk Leaders. Enjoy your walk!

Please inform the walk leader of any health problems, but do check with your GP that it is alright for you to take part first. You will be asked to fill in a Health Questionnaire before your first walk so that the Walk Leader is aware of any health issues you may have. Please try to arrive five to 10 minutes early to allow time to complete this form.

The walks leave on time so to avoid disappointment please arrive in plenty of time to park and register before the start of the walk.

The walk leader will mention any hazards on the walk route, but please remember you are responsible for your own health and safety.

Wear suitable clothing for the weather. In hot weather carry a drink of water to prevent dehydration.

Walk at a pace which makes you feel a little out of breath but still able to talk easily. The walks are non-competitive. If you are likely to need assistance on the walk, please ask a friend or carer to accompany you as unfortunately our leaders are not able to offer “one to one” support.

The front walk leader will set the pace suitable for the group. The back marker will walk at the pace of the slowest walker.

Please inform one of the leaders if you wish to leave the walk or feel unwell.

Please sign out at the end of the walks.

Health benefits of walking

Walking has a number of health benefits. These include:

• Providing a sense of well being and lifting the spirits.
• Boosting the body’s immune system.
• Increasing the strength of your heart and lungs.
• Weight loss.
• Lowering blood pressure.
• Reducing the risk of strokes.
• Promoting mental well being through socialising with others.

Weekly walks programme

Day	Time	Where to meet	Additional information
Monday	11.00am	Eastrop Park Boathouse	Choice of 2/3 walks including a walk suitable for beginners
Tuesday	11.30am	Basing Wood (Behind Popley Fields Community Centre)	A moderate paced walk of about an hour through woodland.
Tuesday (monthly)	11am	Parish car park in Church Street, Hurstbourne Tarrant	Moderate paced walk, For further information please contact Christine Mitchell on 01264 736776.
Wednesday	10.00am	Gill Nethercott Centre in Whitchurch	A choice of 2 walks for different abilities.  Refreshments afterwards
Wednesday * (1st Wednesday of the month)	10.30am	The Square in Kingsclere	A walk ideal for beginners
Wednesday	11.00am	Basingstoke Aquadrome at the Leisure Park	Refreshments afterwards
Wednesday afternoon	1.30pm	Village Centre Club Room, St Mary Bourne	This weekly walk will now start at 1.30pm. Please contact Su Teare on 01256 893608 for further details or contact the Derrydown Clinic
Wednesday	7.00pm	Fast evening walk from various locations	Please see www.basingstokehealthwalks.org or tel: 01256 845574 for starting place
Thursday	11.00am	The Walled Garden at Down Grange off Pack Lane	Refreshments afterwards
Friday	11.00am	Shakespeare Medical Centre in Popley	Refreshments afterwards
Friday (1st and 3rd Fridays of the month)	1.30pm	Tadley Library Tadley Pool	A moderate paced walk of about an hour

Evening Walks Programme

These take place on Wednesday evenings and start at 7pm from various sites.  Walks usually are a fairly fast pace and cover an average distance of 3 miles in an hour.  Please bring a torch with you and wear high visibility clothing.  This is a fast paced walk and there may not be a backmarker.  Everyone is responsible for their own health and safety. 

A programme of evening walks from February - June 2012 is available at the foot of this page.

For further information, please contact:

Holly McAuley - Tel:  01256 845574 / Email:  holly.mcauley@basingstoke.gov.uk

Walkers own risk statement

Risk assessments are carried out on the routes and every possible care is taken by the Walk Leaders to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. However, Walk Leaders are not responsible for your individual safety. Please listen to the walk leaders briefing at the start of the walk which will alert you to any hazards along the route.

When crossing roads please observe the Highway Code at all times, crossing at the safest point and keeping to designated footpaths where possible. The walks are undertaken at your own risk.

Further information

All information about the local scheme and the full programme of walks is available on the 'Walking for Health” in Basingstoke website: www.basingstokehealthwalks.org

For further information about the “Walking for Health” scheme in Basingstoke and Deane, please contact Holly in Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Active Healthy Communities Team:

Holly McAuley - Tel: 01256 845574 / Email: holly.mcauley@basingstoke.gov.uk 

Please click here for information about 'Walking the Way to Health' schemes in the South.