‘Walking and talking’ has taken off in Mid Ulster

‘Mid Ulster Walking for Wellness’ is a new community page set up to share and promote free health walks in the Mid Ulster area led by community walk leaders trained under the 'Walking for Health’ initiative.

The Walking for Health initiative is delivered by Health & Social Care Trusts and funded by the Public Health Agency.
The programme aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Northern Ireland by encouraging them to increase their level of physical activity through participation in regular health walks.

“We only met in June when we attended the walk leader training,” a spokesperson for the group said.
“We were separately setting up walking groups in our own localities and soon after decided that it might be of more benefit to have our walks shared in one place, and we decided to set up a community page on social media and that is how ‘Mid Ulster Walking for Wellness’ Facebook page started.

“The walks we share provide opportunities for people to get outdoors, walk in safe environments, converse, and improve their mental health and well-being. Everyone over the age of 18 is welcome to participate in our walks (including those with health conditions and children provided they are accompanied by an adult/carer). Each week we share the upcoming week's walks, welcoming new walkers as well as encouraging others to train to become a walk leader.

“Increasing the number of walk leaders would mean there will be more walking groups and walking locations across Mid Ulster which will simultaneously promote our beautiful walking locations and improve the health and wellbeing of more people.”

The spokesperson continued: “As well as communicating the community walks on our page we also engage with volunteers and staff within local community groups, the Health Trusts and other statutory organisations to promote the benefits of walking and to signpost them to our page and walks so we can help people become more active across Mid Ulster.

“We have been overwhelmed at how quickly the walks and page have grown. Within the first month of introducing our Facebook page we have acquired over 400 social media followers and currently share between eight and 10 weekly walks in the Mid Ulster area some during the day, and some at evening time. Our regular walking locations include Derrynoid Forest, Drumnaph Nature Reserve, Pole Patrick, Pomeroy forest, to name a few.”

Feedback from the walkers has been very positive - 'It doesn't matter how fit or unfit you are, or if you need a walking aid, all abilities are welcomed and supported’, ‘Just what the doctor ordered, not just exercise but the social aspect is something else’.

Other feedback include: ‘Great groups, hard to beat walking and talking’
‘Lovely walks provided within a friendly open group environment’.
"Great Initiative, So glad to see people are coming out and making the most of the newly established walk & talk groups set up within Mid-Ulster.’
"Such a great idea to help us feel a sense of belonging once again”.

A spokesperson for Draperstown-based S.T.E.P.S, which partners with the group, said: “We are always looking for preventative ways to improve mental health. We are delighted to be involved with and support Mid Ulster Walking for Wellness Groups in our local area. The feedback from our members has been fantastic.Everyone enjoys being out in nature and feels safe within their group settings.”

A spokesperson for another partner group, Mid Ulster Agewell, added: “This is such an excellent initiative to help reduce isolation and combat loneliness, especially among our older people, by encouraging them to stay connected.”

Mid Ulster Walking for Wellness is supported and welcomed by all. It has resulted in the creation of many new community walk and talk groups throughout the Mid Ulster District Council area, and many new walkers and they hope to continue to grow and encourage more walk leaders and walk locations.

Anyone interested in walk leader training please email: PhysicalActivity@northerntrust.hscni.net

Meanwhile, a Walk leader Training Course will be taking place in Magherafelt. It is running on Monday, September 30, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Nicola Arbuckle from NHSCT and Breda Quinn from Mid Ulster Agewell will be facilitating this half day
course.

If anyone wishes to participate, they should contact Breda at Mid Ulster Agewell as soon as possible via email address midulsteragewell@gmail.com or via mobile phone number 07932236704.