Walking for Health Bristol Bulletin

t
Bulletin
News and information about Walk for Health Bristol
www.bristol.gov.uk/healthwalks
Jan
2015
Issue: 27
www.walkingforhealth.org.uk
Bristol Walking Festival May 2015
Walk for Health Bristol is again organising the next, and third, walking festival to be held
Friday 1st – Sunday 31st May 2015. Antony De Heveningham is the 2015 programme
manager and submissions for 2015 walks are being invited from groups, organisations,
walking professionals and volunteers, with a late January deadline. Got a great idea,
personal interest to share or project to launch in May? Could it be combined with a walk or
walking related event? If so, let us know about it!
For more information or to get a “Walk Proposal form” please visit
www.bristolwalkingfestival.co.uk or email [email protected]
Wonder Walkers: 2014
Well done to all our walkers and leaders that braved wet weather and strode out in fair, and
a special shout out to the top ten of 2014. LinkAge Stockwood group shines again!
 Michael O’Leary
85 walks
LinkAge Stockwood
GOLD!
 Kay O’Leary
84 walks
LinkAge Stockwood
SILVER!
 Barbara Walker
83 walks
LinkAge Stockwood
BRONZE!
Wendy Lau, 77 Walks (Various groups including Westbury Walkers); Robert Harris, 76
walks (LinkAge Stockwood); Timothy Dowling, 76 walks (The Downs); Norman Sharples,
74 walks (LinkAge Stockwood): Neil Vernoum, 69 walks (LinkAge Stockwood); Lynne
Griffin, 68 walks (The Downs); Ruth Gearing, 67 walks (Horfield and Lockleaze)
Based on figures taken from the WfH database on 10.12.14 for data entered for walks attended 10.12.13 – 10.12.14
Accreditation and the Walk for Health Bristol Partnership in 2015
Accreditation applications were made in late December by Bristol health walks schemes
and we now await the verdict! Being accredited will give groups and walks which are part
of the WfHB partnership a quality assurance mark, helping to inspire the support of
funders, partners, volunteers and walkers. From January to March 2015 Walking for Health
will be working with schemes across England to help with any necessary adjustments
needed to pass. When we receive the accreditation mark, groups and walks affiliated to
WfHB partnership will continue to be recognised as part of the nation-wide network and
have much valued access to free resources, guidance, training and support available.
Thanks so much to all the leaders and group coordinators for their time, support and
understanding in 2014 in working towards meeting the criteria.
Training Opportunities - Booking essential for all courses.
Unless otherwise stated all sessions will be at Brunel House, St. George Road, BS1 5UY
Health Walks Training:
1) Friday 23 January, 10am – 4pm 2) Thursday 23 April, 10 am – 4pm
Heart Start: 1) Monday 2nd February, 10 – 12noon 2) Thursday 30 April, 10 – 12 noon
Emergency first aid session recommended for all leaders without current first aid certificate
Walks for All, Route Surveying: Wednesday 11 March, 10am – 1pm. We will go out and
do a walk survey in groups using inclinometers, to measure gradients and observing and
recording potential barriers on route. Plus 1 hour write up and assessment inside.
Walks for All
The first Inclusion training especially developed locally for Walk Leaders in partnership with
North Somerset WfH was held in November. Walk leaders benefitted from meeting others,
sharing experiences, and discussing issues. Plans were also made to organise more
accessible walks and visit existing walks successful at welcoming walkers with additional
needs. A practical walk route survey session will be held in March 2015 and development
meetings will continue to be held quarterly.
Nominated for a Voscur “Happy, Healthy Bristol” award!
We were very pleased to be nominated for this award alongside 11 other wonderful and
worthwhile Bristol projects. The award is to celebrate an organisation or group, which
improves the health and well-being of people in the city. The 2014 award went to Life Skills
- Learning for living. Thanks to Susan Acton Campbell from St. George Strollers for her
nomination, and therefore recognition, of what we all help to achieve together!
Walk for Health Bristol Partnership event, 6/10/14
A pouring wet day did not dampen the spirits of over 50 hardy walkers who made it up to
Redland for our Autumn partnership walk. Walkers came from as far as Knowle West and
Fishponds and were rewarded with informative guided walks from 3 expert Downs
enthusiasts: Mandy Leivers, Timothy Dowling and Richard Bland. (photos on 2014 Highlights)
Walking for Health Outreach; Every Step Counts
12 week walking programmes have continued over the Autumn months with New
Fosseway, Easton Health Checks and Diabetes UK groups meeting weekly. A new
Headway walk programme is also due to begin in January.
Stuart Riddle and Nic Ferris will be meeting in the New Year to discuss the integration of
the Every Step Counts programme into Walk for Health Bristol, post March 2015 and a
celebration is planned for March which will provide an opportunity to find out about the
projects successes, its legacy and follow up. Every Step Counts pilot projects were funded
October 2013 – March 2015 in Blackburn, Southwark and Bristol, working with community
and health-related organisations to provide 12-week walking programmes of tailored walks.
Before it goes national it will be trialled in a few more local areas, January to March 2015.
Walking for Wellbeing – Event to mark World Mental Health Day
Over 30 walkers from 3 different walking groups came together for a walk to mark World
Mental Health day this October. We were honoured to be met and waved off by Alison
Comley, strategic director for Neighbourhoods, and then enjoyed a waterside amble to
Trinity Community Gardens with wonderful, wellbeing benefits for all! (photos on 2014 Highlights)
WfHB Volunteer policy and essential paper – updated and online
Walk for Health Bristol have recently adopted the national Walking for Health volunteering
policy and other essential forms and guidance have also been updated. They can be found
online at www.bristol.gov.uk/healthwalks on the walk leader resources page. Whether
you’re an existing volunteer or interested in finding out more about getting involved our
Bristol City Council web page and the national Walking for Health website is a really good
place to get more information and all the necessary paper work.
Health Champions
Health Champions are people who, with training and support, voluntarily bring their ability
to relate to people and their own life experience to transform health and well-being in their
communities. We are looking at putting on health champion training for walkers and walk
leaders in 2015. If you’re interested in finding out more let us know and watch this space!
Nic Ferris, Public Health Bristol
0117 3521283 / 07810606738 [email protected].
Walk for Health Bristol,
Bristol City Council, 3rd Floor, Clifton Wing, Brunel House, St. George’s Rd, BS1 5UY.

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