A Summer of Success: Why our Walking Groups have been in the spotlight this year

As we move into the Autumn, we’ve had time to reflect on a wonderful Summer of events and activities that have taken place here at Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

One of the big highlights of the summer period has been the attention and recognition our Walking Groups have received. At Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire, we’re extremely proud to promote health and wellbeing benefits through our increasingly popular Walking Groups like ‘The Lower Wick Walkers’ and the ‘Ledbury Walk and Talk Group’.

Our various Walking Groups are often seen out and about across the two counties, and in light of National Walking Month this past May, we thought we’d take the opportunity to highlight some of the fun they’ve been up to this summer!

One of our most popular Walking Groups is the ‘Ledbury Walk and Talk Group’. This group is based in Herefordshire and meets every Wednesday morning for an enjoyable and social walk around Ledbury Rugby Football Club. One of the brilliant aspects of this group is the option to do a shorter walk or a longer walk - ensuring the group appeals to as many people as possible.

The group has enjoyed a host of fantastic walks this summer and developed an infectious community spirit, which was perhaps epitomised by the picnic the group shared back in July!

Back in Worcester, we joined our Lower Wick Walkers group on a special summer walk that also culminated in a delicious picnic. The walk took us over the river and through some of the beautiful parkland areas in Worcester, showcasing some spectacular views and flowers.

The group regularly attracts lots of people and has enabled a strong community spirit to form amongst the members. One of the group leaders, Hilary, spoke to the importance of the group:

“The group is really important from the walking and health side, but equally just as much from a social side. Everybody really enjoys meeting up and having a chat and it’s something to look forward to each week”.

Hilary’s Lower Wick group also enjoyed a glorious day out in July as they visited the picturesque Croome Court, which is one of the country’s esteemed attractions owned by The National Trust. The walk around Croome is something that the group likes to organise every year, and offers a glimpse into some of the fascinating history and natural beauty that is on our doorstep in Worcestershire.

The NHS has advocated for the many health benefits of walking and encouraged people of all ages to get out and join Walking Groups. They cite the ability of walking to help maintain healthy joints, improve cardiovascular fitness and improve mental health as some of the biggest benefits.

Later into the summer we were also treated to a visit from both BBC Midlands Today and Worcestershire County Council, who had come to take a closer look at our Lower Wick Walking group and interview Paul, who is one of our other group leaders.

The visit encapsulates the positivity that our walking groups are breeding and all of our staff and members should feel proud to be part of something that promotes physical and social well-being.

Speaking in relation to the attention and success our Walking Groups have received recently, our Social Inclusion and Wellbeing Service Manager Caroline said:

“We love supporting our walking groups across the two counties and encourage people to come along and take part, make new friends and get outside in a safe and enjoyable manner. The groups have developed into communities in their own right and also enjoy social activities and trips out for different walks, which is a fantastic testament to their success”.

Now as the colder months loom, we hope everybody will try to carry on walking when possible, and the weather won’t be too unkind to us over the Winter period!

You can read more about our Walking Groups here: https://bit.ly/3qLIdCY

Alternatively, you can also find out more information by getting in touch with the Social Inclusion and Wellbeing Team by calling our referral hub on 0800 008 6077 or emailing referralhub@ageukhw.org.uk.