The Headley ‘Walk to Health’ scheme runs a programme of easy walks for people who have been inactive due to poor health or hospitalisation, or who want to increase their physical activity in a social environment. The scheme is for amblers not ramblers and the walks are aimed at those who want to get back to a more active lifestyle and are looking for regular light exercise and a social chat.
The Headley Walk to Health scheme started back in 2005 as part of a countrywide initiative. The walks continue to be very popular, with on average a dozen walkers setting off for a safe, sociable and free walk each week. Starting from Headley Village Hall every Wednesday morning at 10.30am, the walks are between one and two miles long and last for about an hour, with a pace set to meet all walking abilities. Additional, there is now a longer walk of at least five miles organised on the first Sunday of every month, starting at 11.00am from Headley Village Hall.
All walks are supervised by at least two of our trained Walk Leaders and all the routes have been risk assessed for possible hazards. Over the last 12 months we have lost two of our regular walk leaders, and we are always on the look-out for enthusiastic walkers who might be interested in training as a Walk Leader.
As well as having a core of hardy ‘regulars’, we frequently get new walkers joining us on Wednesday mornings, and are always pleased to see new faces. So, if you are interested in coming along either as a walker or as a potential Walk Leader, please contact either Liz Murray, East Hampshire District Council’s Active Lifestyle Co-ordinator (01730 234067) or Caroline Hunt, Headley’s Walk to Health Volunteer Coordinator (01428 717067). Please feel free to come and join us on a Wednesday morning – come rain or shine, we’ll be there!