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Sedgemoor Health
Walks is a free of charge, community based walking group. The group
is one of the most successful walking groups in Somerset, with up to
100 walkers participating each week. The group
walks on three days a week, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. The walks
are led by volunteer, trained leaders. The Monday walks are aimed
at those recovering from illness or injury, the elderly and both the
inactive and the active. These walks last approximately 1 hour. The
Tuesday and Friday walks are aimed at intermediate level walkers and
last approximately 2 hours, covering 4 to 5 miles.
The Group
The Group was set up originally in 2007 by Sedgemoor District
Council as part of their community health programme, hence the name
of the group. In 2011 the Council devolved the running of the Group
to a community based committee of volunteers. The council’s role is
now confined to assisting with publicity and training the volunteer
leaders.
The group was helped and assisted by several organisations in it's
formative years, including Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset
County Council and Somerset Community Foundation. This support
played a significant part in the current success of the Group.
What Are Health Walks?
Health walks are designed to attract people of all ages who are
fairly inactive and wish to participate in some physical activity. Walking is an excellent way of keeping healthy as it
addresses both physical and mental health. Walking strengthens
muscles and improves co-ordination, thus making it an ideal way of
preventing falls in older age. The group also provides a forum to
make new friends and explore the local area.
A health walk is a brisk walk done on regular basis for wellbeing.
It can help you to feel good, to have more energy, to sleep better,
boost your social life and to manage your weight. There are so many
benefits from health walking we’re sure you’ll see a difference in
yourself even after your first walk!
Joining the Group
To join the group just meet at the designated meeting point for a 10
am. departure. You will find all the relevant information on the
programme of walks . If you are attending a walk for the first time
you’ll be asked to fill out a confidential outdoor health
questionnaire, all walkers will have completed one, including the
leaders.
Comfortable clothing, suitable for the prevaling weather, and
suitable footwear are advisable. Please bring a drink with you on the walks.
All walkers should note that they are responsible for their own
safety and walk at their own risk.
We regret that you CANNOT bring your DOG on these walks except for
Assistance Dogs.
The Group’s Walks
The group walks from over 120 different locations; ranging from
West Quantockhead & the Quantocks in the west; to Glastonbury Tor in
the east; and Churchill and the Mendips in the north. This wide
choice allows you to progress on to more challenging walks as your
fitness improves, or to slow up if you should wish. Please click
here to see the current programme.
Grades of Walks
A reconnaissance is carried out by a qualified walk leader for
each walk to check the
feasibility of the walk and to give the walk a grade:
1
Mainly flat roads or tracks, beach or town walking.
2
Uneven walking, some inclines, tracks, stiles and gates.
3
Open slopes, rough ground and inclines in addition to grades 1 - 2.
4
Open slopes, rough ground and inclines in addition to grades 1 - 3.
5
Very steep inclines plus 1 - 4 grades. |
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