Get Walking Lanarkshire Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary
Get Walking Lanarkshire recently marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its tenth anniversary. The organisation is shining a light on the advantages of health walks to commemorate this occasion. Currently, Get Walking Lanarkshire coordinates 33 free weekly health walks that are designed to last no longer than an hour, taking participants at a leisurely pace and offering them a chance to socialise, often concluding with a cup of tea.
The Lanarkshire Live app provides users with access to all the latest news, features, entertainment, and sports updates related to Lanarkshire’s recovery from the pandemic, 24/7. Participants in the health walks have listed the top 10 benefits they derive from taking part, including making new friends, improving mobility and general health through gentle exercise, enjoying fresh air, and getting better sleep afterward.
Not only do these walks provide physical benefits, but they also offer mental health benefits by being outdoors, experiencing nature and greenspaces, and helping manage weight. A social media campaign has been launched to showcase the positive experiences of the many individuals who participate in these health walks. Get Walking Lanarkshire is a collaborative effort between North and South Lanarkshire councils, NHS Lanarkshire, and Paths for All.
The tenth anniversary celebration took place at Strathclyde Country Park, where Provosts Kenneth Duffy and Margaret Cooper of North and South Lanarkshire, respectively, along with their partners, commemorated the success of the initiative. Over the past decade, the initiative has welcomed 75,947 walkers on 7113 weekly health walks across North and South Lanarkshire, all led by a team of 90 walk volunteers.
Provost Kenneth Duffy expressed his satisfaction with the steady growth of health walks over the past 10 years and encouraged continued participation in this healthy and enjoyable activity. Provost Margaret Cooper highlighted the inclusive nature of Get Walking Lanarkshire, emphasizing that individuals of all fitness levels can engage in these walks, make new connections, and improve their physical and mental well-being simultaneously.
For those interested in joining one of the weekly walks, detailed information can be found on the Get Walking Lanarkshire website. As the initiative looks forward to the next decade, the hope is that more individuals will take advantage of these free walks and reap the numerous benefits they offer.