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Group Walking for Wellbeing: How Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Work, According to the Ramblers (England)

Posté le par Just Relax Store

Walking alone is easy to put off, especially on grey days or when it has been a while. A group walk removes some of the planning: the route is chosen, the pace is set and there are people to talk to. The Ramblers, a walking charity, runs a network of free Wellbeing Walks across England for this purpose. This article summarises what the Ramblers’ own pages say about how the walks work, who they are aimed at and how to find one. It covers England only, as that is the area the Ramblers’ pages describe. It is general wellbeing information, not medical advice. Anyone with a health condition who is unsure about starting a new activity should speak to a GP or other health professional first.

What a Wellbeing Walk is

The Ramblers describe Wellbeing Walks as free, short walks that take place all across England, designed to help people take a first step towards better health, wellbeing and happiness. It says there is no need to book or plan a route, and that hundreds of walks take place every week. A walk is described as a chance to unwind, meet new people and discover nature nearby, and the Ramblers add that people are welcome to stay for a chat and a cuppa afterwards.

The charity says the programme is England’s largest health walk scheme. Its page for healthcare professionals gives these figures: 160 Wellbeing Walks schemes across England, 1,500 weekly short group walks, 65,000 participants of all abilities each week and 6,000 trained volunteer walk leaders. The Ramblers say every short group walk is led by a trained Wellbeing Walks leader who is fully insured, and the walks are always free for participants.

How the walks are set up

According to the Ramblers’ getting-started page, the walks are designed to be easy to join and to keep up:

  • Length: walks start at 10 minutes and are never longer than 90 minutes.
  • Pace and terrain: they are over easy terrain at a steady pace to suit everyone, ranging from slow to steady.
  • Regular timing: there is at least one planned walk a week, starting at the same time and place every week, which the Ramblers say helps make walking a habit.
  • Getting there: all walks are local and accessible on foot or by public transport.
  • Staying together: everyone stays together, so nobody is left behind, and the walks follow tried-and-tested routes.
  • No special kit or sign-up: no special equipment is needed, and there is no need to register in advance.

The Ramblers say fitness level does not matter and mobility limitations are not a barrier, because routes are open to all. Anyone who uses a wheelchair, or who wants to check that a route is right, is told to contact the walk organiser, who will help. The getting-started page also asks walkers to check with the organiser whether a particular route is wheelchair accessible.

Finding a walk

The Ramblers say planned walks are listed on their website, which has a search by location and a directory of Wellbeing Walks groups in England. A first visit therefore involves choosing a group, checking the meeting place and start time, and turning up. There is no charge and, according to the Ramblers, no need to book.

How much walking the Ramblers suggest

In its article on walking and health, the Ramblers say the UK’s Chief Medical Officers recommend that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity such as walking each week. It adds that even one 10-minute daily walk is beneficial and suggests, as a better goal, a brisk 30-minute walk on five days a week, describing a brisk pace as about 3 miles an hour. It suggests beginning with short, comfortably paced walks with plenty of breaks and building up speed, distance and duration gradually, and it says a Wellbeing Walk is a way to take the first steps with a trained leader. For anyone with a health condition, the Ramblers advise speaking to a doctor or specialist health professional before starting any new fitness activity.

Why a group can help

The Ramblers describe group walking as a way to reduce isolation and to get social. Its Wellbeing Walks page describes them as more than a health walk, a chance to unwind, meet people and enjoy nature. These are the charity’s own descriptions rather than study findings. The wider evidence for connection is discussed in the site’s article on why the NHS lists relationships first among the five steps to wellbeing.

Making the walk more restful

A group walk can also be combined with the noticing exercises in the site’s guide to mindful walking. For other ways to be active, see the guide to moving for your mood and the article on green gyms.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book? No. The Ramblers say there is no need to register, and that walks can be found on their website.

Is there a charge? No. The Ramblers say Wellbeing Walks are free.

How long is a walk? From 10 minutes up to a maximum of 90 minutes, according to the Ramblers.

Can I go if I use a wheelchair? The Ramblers say routes are open to all and advise contacting the walk organiser to check that a particular route is wheelchair accessible.

The bottom line

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks are free, short, led group walks across England, lasting from 10 to 90 minutes at an easy pace, with no booking needed. They are a low-effort way to build a walking habit with company, and anyone unsure about starting a new activity should check with a GP or health professional first.

Sources

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