Joining a walking group can also help you find new friends, while swapping a short car drive for a walk or wheel can save you money on fuel and cut traffic queues.
If you live in East Kent, find out about the free Walk and Talks offered by One You Kent – the service is run for KCC by the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT).
If you live in West Kent, wellbeing walks funded by KCC are managed by your local district or borough council – some are holding walks to mark the national awareness month. Use these contacts to find a walk near you.
There’s also lots of opportunities to help others improve their health and wellbeing through walking by becoming a volunteer walk leader.
If you have a few hours spare to help residents of all ages and fitness levels to get moving and meet new people you sound a perfect fit!
To apply to join the group of walk leader volunteers in east Kent:
- email: kentchft.walkandtalk@nhs.net
- call: 07539 243412.
To apply to guide small walking groups in west Kent, use the relevant contact below, or for areas not listed find details on the Ramblers’ website:
- Dartford – kashmir.powar@dartford.gov.uk
- Gravesend – ravinder.marwaha@gravesham.gov.uk
- Sevenoaks – healthy.living@sevenoaks.gov.uk
- Tonbridge and Malling – healthy.living@tmbc.gov.uk
- Tunbridge Wells – health@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
“...set yourself a goal you can reach, try the 20 tips and feel a happier you”
KCC Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, said: “Just a 20-minute walk a day can help reduce the risk of a range of illnesses including some cancers, depression, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
“Fittingly, National Walking Month organisers Living Streets have put together 20 tips to help you squeeze a daily walk into your life. Ideally, we should aim to walk 10,000 steps each day but that’s not easy for everyone. So, set yourself a goal you can reach, try the 20 tips and feel a happier you.”
Read the #try20 checklist and if you have a smartphone use it to track your activity.
“The groups are a great way to meet people and feel connected to others”
Andrea Olver, One You Walk and Talk Co-ordinator for KCHFT, said: “Walking is a great way to improve your physical fitness and your mental and emotional wellbeing. "
The volunteer Health Walk Leader added: "The groups are a great way to meet people and feel connected to others too.”
“Even a short stroll or wheel can brighten your day and be good for your health”
KCC Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, Dan Watkins, said: “Even a short stroll or wheel can brighten your day and be good for your health.
“I’ve signed up to Active Kent & Medway’s ‘Travel Your Way’ Challenge to walk every day this May. I’ll be using #try20 to help me do it and I’d really like you to join me because every step counts towards better health.
“We’re lucky to live in a county with lots of walking and wheeling routes to suit all ages and abilities. Use the Kent Connected app to get free Explore Kent guides and Ordnance Survey map data to show you the way. Alternatively, get involved in one of our One You Kent walking groups, to help you get moving and enjoy the great outdoors.”
There's lots of ways to join in National Walking Month:
- find out more about walking your way to better health and wellbeing with the help of KCC
- see what wellbeing walks are all about by watching these short videos on Vimeo
- find organised walks in Kent on Explore Kent’s website
- see Active Kent and Medway’s dedicated walking page for advice and ideas, including Couch to Walking 5k
- read more about National Walking Month, organised by Living Streets
- how many steps will you take in May? Register for Active Kent & Medway’s ‘Travel Your Way’ Challenge
- learn how children can get involved in Explore Kent’s Junior Walking Challenge
- discover how to support Walk to School Week, part of National Walking Month.
