Recognition for Wellington Health walks scheme

“Walk Well in Wellington” health walking scheme has been awarded the accreditation badge by Natural England’s Walking for Health initiative.

The scheme, which only started in July this year and is run by Tone, the social enterprise and charitable leisure trust, became an accredited scheme within just a month, having successfully demonstrated that it meets the required criteria for an excellent quality scheme.  This includes offering led walks for beginners, meeting the “Walking for Health” safety and insurance standards for all of its walks and collecting basic monitoring information.

As an accredited scheme, “Walk Well in Wellington” will benefit from being seen as part of a nationally evaluated programme as well as being formally recognised by health professionals, prospective partners and funders.

Melissa McCarthy, scheme co-ordinator and Health Development Officer for Tone said:

“I am very pleased that Walk Well in Wellington has been awarded the Accredited Scheme status.  This badge recognises what a good quality health walking scheme it is.  It should help to give reassurance to new health walkers and should give the scheme credibility in the eyes of professionals.  All credit in gaining the badge goes to the volunteer walk leaders because their input has made it the successful scheme that it is.”

Walk Well in Wellington encourages people who are new to walking as a form of physical activity, to come along and join in.  The walks take place every Monday and Thursday departing at 10:30am, meeting at locations within the town.  Health walks are under 1 hour and people are encouraged to walk at their own pace.

Tone is providing a training day in October for people who would like to volunteer on the scheme.  For a copy of the new autumn programme or for more details about volunteering as a walk leader please contact Melissa McCarthy, on (01823) 273084 or e-mail m.mccarthy@toneleisure.com