Volunteers from across the region are leading 25 weekly walks following a series of walk leader training courses provided by Dumfries & Galloway council’s Active Communities programme.
DGWGO went along to meet volunteer walk leader Dave Fordyce in Gretna.
The training opportunity received huge interest from volunteers who were keen to encourage more people to get out and enjoy our beautiful towns and villages.
The volunteers undertook various training ranging from Walk Leader, Strength and Balance and Nordic Pole Walking. This has resulted in a range of walks being offered to people of all abilities.
Stroll in the Park
Low level walks aimed at anyone who is living with or recovering from a long-term condition, or who may have limited mobility. Ideal for anyone wishing to continue their recovery or maintain a level of fitness by means of developing strength and balance, confidence and enjoying being part of a group of like-minded people in the beautiful surroundings.
Health Walks
Walks aimed at inactive people who would benefit from doing more physical activity. Ideal for people who haven’t been active in a while and would like to start again. Walkers will be able to walk at a pace and length that suits their ability.
Pole Walking
Easy to moderate paced walks. Walking with poles can provide stability and can reduce the strain on the lower body joints by sharing both the effort and body weight with the upper body muscles. Pole walking can improve cardio-respiratory fitness, core strength, improve balance and assist breast cancer recovery. The walks will be easy to moderate paced. NOTE: Poles are not provided on the walks.
Community ‘Fitness’ Walks
Moderate to brisk paced walks which will allow the participants to benefit from a slightly increased pulse rate, faster breathing but still be able to maintain a conversation with others. Ideal for anyone wishing to increase their overall fitness.
Power Walks
Faster paced walks which emphasis speed and arm motion as a means of increasing health benefits.
Chair of Communities Committee, Councillor Andy Ferguson said “It is great to see volunteers delivering new health and wellbeing focused walks in Dumfries & Galloway. The introduction of such initiatives will help people live healthier and more independent lives as well as enhancing much needed social interaction.”
There is no need to book a place on the walks, participants can just turn up although some paperwork will be required to be completed if attending for the first time. For more information on our walking programme, contact [email protected]
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