Step out Sheffield Step out Sheffield One of

Step out Sheffield

Step out Sheffield • One of 400+ schemes in the national Walking for Health programme. • Walking for Health is administered by the Ramblers • Funded by Macmillan Cancer support • Wf. H hosts the national database: • Trains the cascade trainers • Supports the scheme coordinators • Provides insurance cover • Rewards good practice with accreditation

Step out Sheffield • The ‘new’ name for Sheffield’s Walking for Health scheme • Health walks began in Sheffield in 1999. • By 2008 we had two salaried coordinators, 30 walks and 25, 000 walker attendances per year. • In 2012 the funding for one coordinator was lost. • In March 2016 the funding for the other one was lost

Step out Sheffield • Since March 2016 health walks in Sheffield have been completely volunteer led • The biggest volunteer-led Wf. H scheme in the country • 133 active volunteer walk leaders • Approximately 600 walkers each week • 24 walks across the city

Step out Sheffield • The transition from managed to self-managed took approximately six months • Continuity of walks maintained • Training of new VWLs kept-up • Number of walks fell by 4 to 24 BUT • The number of walkers has increased by 10% • How have we managed to increase numbers? • Web site • Bigger profile – now attending health promotion events • Pooling of volunteer skills and team-work

Step out Sheffield What’s a health walk? • Starting where the walker is at and building up over the weeks • May be only 10 minutes • Generally 15 minutes to 1 hour • Can be up to 90 mins • At a pace that is comfortable but increasing heart rate • With a leader and back-marker

Step out Sheffield What’s a health walk? • All new walkers must be registered and provide details about their health conditions • VWLs are not support workers. Walkers needing support are welcome but must be accompanied (at least initially) • Most sites provide a ‘short’ alternative for frail or elderly walkers • Wheelchairs and buggies are welcome on some walks • Well behaved dogs (on leashes) are welcome • Most walks end with a cuppa and a chance to socialise • The VWLs on some walks arrange outings for their walkers

www. healthwalksinsheffield. btck. co. uk • Website linked to national Wf. H website • Each of the 24 walks has its own web page with a description of their walk and some pictures • Our weekly walks programme can be easily downloaded • There is a helpline number as well as an on-line messaging service • Step out Sheffield’s health walks are accredited. • This achievement means health professionals can refer their patients with confidence