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C 2) Ceredigion Communities Exercise
Schemes – Woodland Walks
In
2002 a Woodlands Walks Scheme was set up between the Cardiac
Rehabilitation Nurses and the Forest Education & Health Manager.
Clients who had experienced heart conditions were taken on guided
walks to local woods.
In
2004 Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust and Ceredigion County Council
were both successful in receiving Lottery funding for an enhanced
exercise scheme in the County for those with a heart condition and
those at risk of heart disease, those with anxiety, depression,
obesity or experiencing socially isolation etc.
The
schemes provide exercise classes twice a week for 12 weeks along with
health talks. This enhanced scheme enabled further development of
the links between the Council, the NHS Trust and the Forestry
Commission. Scheme staff were introduced to further woodland walks
throughout the County by Forestry Commission rangers and a variety of
walks were chosen.
Each
walk was risk assessed and covered by the Trust’s insurance.
Walks were chosen for a gentle start and finish, to warm up and cool
down. Clients were given a description of the walks including
distances, conditions underfoot and inclines and were advised about
appropriate clothing before starting the walks.
Links
with other schemes
3
walks leaders were trained through the Walking The Way To Health
Scheme and accompanied each walk with two way radios and mobile
phones.
A
link was made with the Council Community Transport Scheme which
provides a free mini bus and driver training to community groups.
This was vital to access some of the walks. Woodland walks take
place at least monthly from Spring to Autumn.
Barriers
are reduced by:
Local
provision of walks
Walks
chosen to suit participants’ abilities
Safety
- due to walking in a group
Transport
and Childcare provided
Benefits:
Alternative
to leisure centres for physical activity
Introduced
clients to new places
Clients
can repeat the walks with friends and family
Relaxed
environment for greater social interaction.
Greater
appreciation for the local environment
Increased
knowledge from talks provided by woodland experts
Greater
confidence and sense of emotional well-being
Improved
partnership working
One
Service User stated, “It’s great here, I can’t wait
to bring the kids.” Gwenllian Parry, Cardiac Rehabilitation
Nurse commented, “The success of the scheme is due to the
recognition that Service Users need to socialise and develop
interests that will encourage them to sustain physical activity on a
regular basis.”
Contacts:
Gwenllian
Parry / Denise Lewis Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurses 01970 635327
Sue
Ginley Education and Health Manager, Forestry Commission 01970 881924
Mandy
Jones Exercise For Life Leader 0781 3315238 |
