Welcome to Health Challenge Pembrokeshire

Steps2Health

| Walk your Way to Health

The aim of Steps2Health is to get more people out walking. Walking is an easy, enjoyable and inexpensive way to improve your health - you don't need any special kit, apart from a comfortable pair of walking shoes
To help you get going we have easy, short walks around the county, led by trained and insured local volunteers. See Programme of Walks for more information about your closest walk. These walks are ideal for anyone trying to become more active or get back into activity. The walks last from 30 to 60 minutes with ample opportunity to socialize afterwards. Everyone walks at their own pace so they are suitable for all levels of fitness and no previous experience is necessary.

See our Brochure (download 103k)

Why is walking so good?

Walking has been described as the ideal form of physical activity.
* It can be done by almost anyone, anywhere, at any time.
* It makes you feel good, reduces stress and helps you to relax and sleep better.
* Walking two miles per day has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack by 28%.
* Regular walking can help you to lose weight - up to 14lbs in 3 months, in some cases.
* You use roughly the same number of calories whether you walk or jog the same distance.

Walking at any pace has the following benefits:
* Improves muscle strength, gives you more energy and increases stamina
* Improves your mood and increases confidence
* Increases good cholesterol and helps to reduce weight
* Helps to prevent diabetes
* Reduces risk of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and some cancers

Walking at a brisk pace also:
* improves the functioning of heart and lungs
* reduces blood pressure

Brisk walking is when you walk fast enough to make you breathe a little faster, feel warmer and have a slightly faster heart beat. But it should always be comfortable and you should still be able to talk!

To extend this scheme across the whole county, Steps2Health is looking for volunteers to lead walks. If this interests you the Project Coordinator Paul Morris is waiting to hear from you on 07747 564042 or email paul.morris@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Walking on your own

If you can't walk with one of our groups but want to start walking more, we have some leaflets to help you get started on your own.

Getting Started (download 86k)

10000 Steps a Day (download 90k)

Step Count Card (download 95k)

Partners
Steps2Health works with a wide variety of local organisations. It is currently funded by Health Challenge Pembrokeshire. Health Challenge Pembrokeshire is a partnership of local organisations, which work together to improve health and well-being. Partners include Pembrokeshire County Council and the Pembrokeshire Local Health Board.

Steps2Health Programme of Walks

Fishguard
Monday morning and Thursday after lunch
Contact Ian 01348 872853

Llandissilio
Contact Andrew 01437 563876

Milford Haven
10:30am on 1st and 3rd Saturday each month meet outside Tesco's
Contact Ray 07909 550508

Monkton
Monday 1:30pm meet at Community Centre
Contact Pauline 01646 683048

Narberth
Wednesday 10:30am meet at Bus Shelter by Primary School
Contact Ruth 01834 860806

Pembroke Dock
Saturday 10:30am meet outside Library
Contact Peggy 01646 622082

St Dogmaels/Cilgerran
Monday 10.00am meet Otter statue, Old Bridge, Cilgerran
Contact David 01239 615758

Tenby
Saturday 10:30am meet outside Somerfield Supermarket
Wednesday 2.00pm meet South Parade Bus drop
Contact Barbara 01834 844845

General Enquiries
Please contact Paul Morris on 07747 564042

Links

Walking the Way to Health, Wales - Walking the Way to Health Wales (opens new window)

Walking the Way to Health - Walking for Health Initiative (England) (opens new window)

Scotland's Health Walk Challenge - Paths to Health (Scotland) (opens new window)

Sports Council for Wales - Lets Walk Cymru Initiative (opens new window)

ID: 1065 Revised: 16/6/2005

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