Get active with Walk on Hebrides!

Keeping healthy during COVID restrictions has been challenging and it is more important than ever for everyone to get more active.  

Walking is one of the easiest ways to get active, and has many health, social and environmental benefits.  Almost anyone can take part regardless of age, income or ability.

Walking is free and can help you keep a healthy weight; it can also lower your risk of developing some serious and common health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, certain cancers and poor mental health.

Joining a local walking group will get you connected with your local area and community.

You and others around you will benefit from the support you give each other; build companionships and help reduce isolation and loneliness. Get out walking, rather than using the car, and help create a safer environment by lowering pollution and reducing your carbon footprint.

Now that many restrictions have relaxed and organised walks are possible again, the Walk on Hebrides walking project is encouraging past walkers and prospective new walkers to GET ACTIVE and join one of our walks.

The project provides opportunities across the Western Isles for people to be physically active through Health Walks.

All Walk on Hebrides walks are led by Paths for All trained walk leaders. Some of their walk leaders are also trained to deliver Dementia Friendly walks, Strength and Balance exercises and Cancer Friendly health walks (Macmillan Cancer approved and in partnership with Move More Western Isles).

A health walk is:

• Free
• Short (anything from 10-60minutes)
• Adapted to suit the needs of the walkers
• Social
• Local.

Here is what some of our Walk leaders have had to say about the walks they lead.

• “…numbers have been quite low but are steadily on the increase.” 
• “…thoroughly enjoyed it.” (Of a new walker)
• “…we took in some beautiful views…”  
• “…the children found some icicles by the side of the path.”  
• “…we saw some stags running across the moorland.” 

All Walk on Hebrides registered walks, are listed on the Paths for All website with days, times and location of walks.  To view either visit the Paths for All website at www.pathsforall.org.uk or at https://bit.ly/3pltslx or visit the HIRS Western Isles Facebook page.

Alternatively, please get in touch with Jeanne or Marion using the contact details below:

Jeanne Mackay, NHS Western Isles Health Improvement Practitioner (Lewis & Harris). Tel. 01851 762023 or email: jeanne.mackay@nhs.scot 

Marion Matheson, NHS Western Isles Health Improvement Practitioner Uist & Barra). Tel. 01870 602588 or email: marion.matheson1@nhs.scot 

Anyone who develops any symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend the group under any circumstances.  Instead, they (and their household) should self-isolate and arrange a test by contacting the local COVID-19 Response Team on 01851 601151 or emailing: wi.covid19queries@nhs.scot  Please note that we will be collecting contact details for Test and Protect, in the event of any group member developing symptoms.  

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