Restarting Health Walks and Building Back

The theme at a recent Zoom seminar with the Scottish Health Walk Network centred on encouraging folk to restart and build back to walking. The meeting was well attended by various sectors including Walk on Hebrides and Walk Leaders from the Western Isles.

We were delighted to receive a message from Jason Leitch (National Clinical Director for Scotland) who is a supporter of walking as a great form of exercise saying that it is a great way “to stay fit, both, physically and of course mentally”  also that it is “more important than ever that we get out, not only to enjoy the great outdoors but to look after ourselves and others”. His endorsement is welcomed, and his video message is available to watch at: https://vimeo.com/563608666

There will be many of you who are eager to get back out walking and will have already re-joined health walks.  Indeed, this is reflected in the numbers already attending Health Walks across the Western Isles.

There will be some of you who are keen to get walking again but may be anxious about what to expect after the many months spent at home because of the pandemic.

We recognise too, that there are others not wanting to return to walking at all, especially those who have been shielding because of underlying health conditions.  

Walk on Hebrides would like to reassure everyone that all their Walk Leaders have been specially trained and are able to offer a Safe, Secure and Supportive environment to enjoy walking.

Here is a reminder of some of the fantastic images from the Uig Health Walks taken earlier this year and kindly shared with NHS Western Isles.

Getting outdoors and walking can reduce stress, increase confidence, improve sleep and give a sense of belonging.
If you or someone you know would like to join a health walk or find out more about what a health walk is, please email either:

Jeanne Mackay, Health Improvement Practitioner. Email: jeanne.mackay@nhs.scot
Marion Matheson, Health Improvement Practitioner. Email: marion.matheson1@nhs.scot

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