Copyright © 2014 Paths for All FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER SCOTLAND Promoting Walking Workshop Delivered by Jenny Lim and Anne

Welcome and Domestics

Write your own action plan Promoting Walking Workshop Benefits of walking Policy and evidence Walking and your client group Coffee Break Getting the pace right Resources and “Kit” Routes and Risks

Learning objectives: this workshop has been designed so you: 1.Can discuss/ identify/ look at the evidence / for the benefits of walking 2.Are introduced to the current key policy documents and policy drivers around walking 3.Start an action plan around promoting walking with your client/patient group

Learning Objectives (continued) 4. Discuss some practicalities involved in promoting walking with your clients/patients including routes, risks and pace 5. Know where to get the resources that are available to you to promote walking

Action Planning What will you do as a result of attending this workshop? When will you do it? Who do you need to ask for help/what resources will you need?

Ice Breaker Work in pairs, find out your partner’s name and their work role Ask your partner to list 2 or 3 benefits of walking

Everyday walking is the way to a happier, healthier life for everyone.

Walking for Health in Scotland since 2002 Numbers 134 walking projects 18,500 community walks 213,000 walking attendances Volunteers 6,600 trained walk leaders Walks 20% of the population live within 2km of a health walk and 50% within 5km Value For every £1 invested in health walks £8 of benefits are generated for society

The Benefits of Walking Workshop discussion #1

What is Health

Why is Walking so Good?

30-40% reduction in diabetes 20-30% reduction in heart attack and stroke 30% reduction in bowel cancer 36-68% reduction in hip fractures 30% reduction in depression/dementia 20% reduction in breast cancer Data taken from: Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2011 “Transforming Scotland’s Health” NHS Scotland The Impact of Increasing your Walking Adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity spread over the week.

Walking more feel the difference

Sedentary Behaviour Not just the absence of physical activity, sedentary behaviour is a cluster of behaviours that result in low metabolic activity in the body resulting in increased risk of illness and disease. Find out more at:

Walking Policy and evidence Workshop discussion #2 A standing up discussion

Key Policy/Advocacy Documents

Can you name the policy areas? How does walking fit with your work?

Let’s Get Scotland Walking Vision A Scotland where everyone benefits from walking as part of their everyday journeys, enjoys walking in the outdoors and when places are well designed to encourage walking. 3 Strategic aims : Create a culture of walking where everyone walks more often as part of their everyday travel and for recreation and well- being Better quality walking environments with attractive, well designed and managed built and natural spaces for everyone Enable easy, convenient and safe independent mobility for everyone

There are many walking opportunities Short walks Walking for longer distances Walking for recreation Walking to be sociable Walking for fitness or sport Walking to school Walking as part of your job Walking for health and wellbeing Walking for patients in hospital or other care settings Walking as part of recovery from ill health Walking to the shops Walking the dog

Walking & your client group Workshop activity #3

Who? Who are the walks for? Who will be leading the walks? Who will you need to talk to about risk assessments And insurance When? How long will the walks be? When will they take place? Is the timing good for you and for your patients or clients? Why? Why do you want to promote walking with your clients or patients? Why will your patients or clients want to come on walks? How? How will you publicise or promote your walks? How often will you go out? Where? Where will your walks start from? Are there any paths and routes in the area? What? What resources will you need? What sort of walk? Group walks? Paired walks? Buddy walks?

Local project information & case studies Find out about walking for health opportunities in your local area

Action Planning Time to add any notes, thoughts or actions to your action plan

Coffee Break (15 minutes)

Routes and Risks Workshop activity #4

“Short, friendly, local, low level walk” Between 10 minutes and 1 hour The length and pace to suit the walkers Aimed at Inactive Adults What is a Health Walk ?

What makes a good route? Accessible – paths suitable for all Convenient – local to your walkers Attractive – good features Connected – near to local facilities

In a group draw a sample route

Risk Assessments (manual p25) A process of assessing the hazards you might find when out on a walk, and making a judgement about the risk that someone might be harmed by the hazard

Risk Assessments/insurance: Every walk should be risk assessed Your workplace may have risk assessment procedures or training in place Talk to your managers about insurance to cover walking With your clients/patients Walking is a low risk activity

Getting the pace right Workshop discussion #5

Moderate intensity pace and stages of a Health Walk

Moderate intensity activity – how should you feel? Breathe a little faster Feel a little warmer Your heart beats a little faster The amount of activity required will vary from person to person Brisk Walking

How to measure moderate intensity The talk test (manual page 21) Observation (walkers should look comfortable)

Pace information Moderate intensity activity brings benefits to the heart and lungs (cardio respiratory systems) but…. If the pace is too brisk for new or less active walkers, they may not return next time.

Pace – getting it right for everyone Walkers can increase their pace over time – the main thing is to enjoy the walk

Walkers at risk of falls? Brisk walking may increase risk of falls in those who are frail, who do not walk regularly, or who have fallen before Advice: walk at a steady pace and encourage regular strength and balance exercises. (Campbell 97; Robertson 2001; Campbell 2005; Sherrington 2011; Ebrahim 1997

Resources to get you going Workshop discussion #6

Strength and balance resources Strength and Balance exercises can help older adults stay independent, manage activities of daily living and retain their independence

Leaflet with 10 exercises

Paths for All merchandise and Walk Leader “kit”

Have a look at the HWA and see if you can suggest why it is used Health Walk Agreement card

Helpful paperwork New Walker Registration form Health Walk Agreement Walk Register Route map/description Risk Assessment

Individual Pedometer packs Find further resources

Workshop Activity # 7 Opportunities and Challenges 1.On your own - take time to write down some of the challenges or opportunities which have come to mind during the workshop 2.In groups – take some time to share some of your challenges, and help each other find solutions

Round the Room Feedback Use your action plan to share some of the ideas you have come up with to promote walking

Learning objectives: this workshop has been designed so you: 1.Can discuss/ identify/ look at the evidence / for the benefits of walking 2.Are introduced to the current key policy documents and policy drivers around walking 3.Start an action plan around promoting walking with your client/patient group

Learning Objectives (continued) 4. Discuss some practicalities involved in promoting walking with your clients/patients including routes, risks and pace 5. Know where to get the resources that are available to you to promote walking

Bag It what will you will be taking away from today? Thought for the day Tell us your thoughts now you have done the course In Summary Bin it Something you did not like, or did not find useful

We will send you an with the contact list from today’s workshop including each other, Paths for all and your local walking projects Please tell us if you do not wish to have your contact details included in the list Stay connected

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