Health Walks are regular brisk walks, led by trained volunteers that are suitable for almost anyone. The walks generally last for between 30 minutes and an hour.
What are the benefits of walking?
Walking can:
- Give you more energy
- Reduce stress and help you sleep better
- Keep your heart 'strong' and reduce blood pressure
- Help to manage your weight
- Make you feel good
Walking is the perfect activity as:
- Almost everyone can do it
- You can do it anywhere and any time
- It's a chance to make new friends
- It's free and you don't need special equipment
- You can start slowly and build up gently
There are several walking groups in Wychavon:
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The Vale Walkers
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Broadway:
‘As a bookworm, I usually get my exercise from turning the pages of any book that I am reading, in fact many years ago my wife christened me "lazytyke" so when she pestered me to join the local health walking group I was not amused. On the early walks I was a little creaky and slow, however my body soon got loosened up and now I also go on the monthly adventure walks.
The walks are very beneficial in a number of ways, but I derive most pleasure from the sociability of chatting to different members of the group as we walk along. We are lucky that our walk leader is a local chap with interesting stories of the vale of Evesham and some of its local characters. If you can amble about at all, then come along to our group each Tuesday morning at The Court in Broadway from 10 am to 11-15 am. I am confident that you will enjoy the walks and best of all, they are free!!'
Terry Reid – member of the walking for health group in Broadway
Pershore:
Pershore Vale Walkers are now in their third year, and can be seen regularly on a Friday morning en route to an interesting amble. It is stressed that these walks are ambles not rambles, lasting approximately an hour and are geared for those who like some fresh air, a little exercise and a lot of chat. It is ideal for those recovering from an operation, illness or a feeling of isolation and is geared to the pace of the slowest walker. Trendy walking equipment is unnecessary, although something brightly coloured helps find you in a fog! Comfortable relatively sturdy shoes however, are a must. Normally the walk ends with a coffee in one of the restaurants in the town, or indeed whatever takes your fancy – all I can say is that the local hostelries usually benefit.
All walk leaders are trained, and can bring you back to life if the need arises and carry an emergency pack, although we are not allowed to put on a plaster!
Occasionally we do vary the route and arrange a car share so that for instance, the bluebells in Tyddesley Wood or the snowdrops in Birlingham Churchyard can be enjoyed but details are always given well in advance.
If you are interested, come on a taster walk which departs Pershore Leisure Centre 10.30 am every Friday morning or ring Val Wood 01386 554235 for more information
Evesham Health Walks
This walking group in Evesham have been running for one year. Peter O'Shea, a health trainer for the Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, founded the Evesham Walking Group in conjunction with the NHS health trainer service, Evesham Library and the Walking For Health initiative.
The group offers regular short walks over easy terrain with trained walk leaders and are for all ages and abilities.
Mr O'Shea said: "The walking group has proven to be a real success in the local area. "This is largely due to the dedication and enthusiasm of the three volunteer walk leaders who give their time freely each week, but also the walk provides a central start/finishing point which is easily accessible to all."
Walker Richard Hunt said: "I have found these walks of great benefit to my health and meeting with other walkers of all ages to talk with has been very enjoyable socially."
The walks last for an hour to an hour-and-a-half before finishing at Evesham Methodist church where walkers have the option to have a hot drink and a chat. The walks start at the library every Thursday at 10.30am.
For more information, contact volunteer walk leader Rosemary Restall on 01386 40651 or e-mail Peter O'Shea on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Droitwich Health Walk
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- The Spa Walkers
Breathe Happy Thursday Walk (Droitwich)
30 minute walks of varying levels of difficulty suitable for people with lung or heart conditions. Sessions are on Thursday afternoons starting at 1pm at Rotary House in Corbett Avenue, Droitwich. We meet inside the Rotary house and then walk through the garden into the lovely Lido park. Routes are tailored to ANY ability and walk leaders will help build the confidence of those who are anxious. Walk starts in a community hall and indoor exercises are performed when the weather is bad. Refreshments follow the walk.
Breathe Happy Park Walk (Droitwich)
Are you over 50 and lost your energy, then join Parkwalk for a stroll or a brisk walk for half an hour in and around the lovely Lido Park, Droitwich. Plenty of places to rest. Trained walk leaders, refreshments afterwards. Starting from the Rotary House, Corbett Avenue every Thursday from 3pm.
Evesham Rambling Club
You may be new to the area, or have never ventured along a public footpath you may want to walk for your health or for shared enjoyment of the countryside and an opportunity to make new friends. Whatever the reason, we invite you to join Evesham Rambling Club we offer a varied Rambles programme of day and half day rambles throughout the year, some on Sundays, some during the week. As well, there are weekends away and holidays both in the UK and abroad. The good news is that it costs only £5 for a year’s subscription. As a member you will receive details online of all our rambles, and be able to join us whenever you wish.
Want to try us out first? Contact our Rambling Club secretary and join us as a visitor before you pay anything.
Ramblers Association - Vale of Evesham Group
If you are interested in becoming a Health Walk Leader, the County Council run Health Walk Leader training for all that are interested.
For more information, please contact Lyn Yendall, Health Walks Officer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01905 822820 or 01905 766155.
There are also maps of the area highlighting the walking routes in Wychavon:
For more information on Walking for Health visit http://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk or
For more information regarding health improvement please contact the Public Health Practitioner for Wychavon on 01386 565182
