Walking is an ideal form of exercise to promote to inactive people, particularly excluded and disadvantaged groups who suffer from the greatest inequalities in health:

• It is free and requires no special equipment
  
  
• It is accessible to all regardless of age, income, location and ability. 
  
  
• It is within the physical capabilities of most people and is a realistic goal for inactive people
  
  
• People are more likely to continue walking long after the walking activity has finished (compared to other physical activity interventions)
  
  
• Walking combines all the physical benefits of activity with an opportunity for social contact and support.
  
  
• It is the ideal level of activity to promote to inactive people. There is greater health gain at this stage (inactive to moderately active) than people moving from moderate to vigorously active
  
  
• Walking can easily be incorporated into our daily lives
  
  
• It can be enjoyed safely and there is a low risk of injury
  
  
• It can be a catalyst for connecting people to other aspects of health, such as, healthy eating, smoking cessation and relaxation
  
  

NHS Forth Valley acknowledges the value of partnership working and has worked together with local partners to develop the following walking initiatives:

Walk About Stirling

Walk about Stirling

Walk About Stirling (WAS) is a 'Paths to Health' walking project that organises health walks and develops walking groups for local communities in the Stirlingshire area. The health walks are targeted at inactive people and are tailored to suit different levels of fitness and medical conditions. All walks are led by trained volunteer walk leaders.

WAS contributes to health improvement within local communities by making a positive impact on the physical, social and mental well-being of local people.

For more information please contact the project co-ordinator Trisha Cumming on 07717-544 773.

Step Forth

Step Forth is a 'Paths to Health' walking project that organises led health walks in and around Grangemouth and Bo'ness. The aim of the project is to encourage and support inactive people to lead a more active lifestyle.

For more information please contact the project co-ordinatorBarbara McConnell via email :  stepforth@hotmail.co.uk

Big Fit Walk

The "Big Fit Walk" is an event which has run annually over the last four years in conjunction with STEP FORTH and BRAVEHEART local walking initiatives. The NHS and Falkirk Council Services support the event as part of their strategies to promote physical activity. The aim of the event is to raise awareness of the health benefits of walking by involving as many people as possible in a 30 minutes walk in their local area.

Click documents to the right, for more details and to download the 2008 information pack.

Big Fit Walk 2008 - Covering letter 
(14kb - 1p)

Big Fit Walk 2008 - Information
(300kb - 5p)

Big Fit Walk 2008 - Poster
(137kb - 1p)

Big Fit Walk 2008 - Registration form
(63kb - 1p)

Big Fit Walk 2008 - Completion form
(64kb - 1p)