Walkers will soon be able to access a new website which will map out walking routes designed to keep people in Swindon healthy.
The new Get Walking in Swindon website (www.getwalking.org/swindon) launches on Wednesday (7 December) and, as well as promoting people to follow a healthy lifestyle, it aims to encourage people to explore their local areas.
The new website is a partnership initiative between Swindon Borough Council’s Leisure Services and the Ramblers and is part of the NHS-funded Walk Swindon project.
To coincide with the launch of the website, a half-hour circular walk starting from the community café in Queen’s Park will take place on Wednesday from 1pm. Staff from the council’s Leisure Services and Transport teams will take part in the walk along with volunteers, members of the Ramblers and health ambassadors.
Swindon will have its own section on the Ramblers’ website, which is designed to be a one stop shop for walking in Swindon. People will be able to find and download local walking routes as well as information on walking groups and events.
The aim is to help encourage people to enjoy walking, whether they want to walk independently or socially and similar sites have already proved popular in Durham, Manchester and Sheffield.
Thirteen volunteers have been out and about mapping and checking new walks for the website at various locations throughout the borough. The first routes to be developed have been added to the site and more are expected in the New Year.
Most of the walks will be short, normally between one and three miles, with some routes up to five miles long. Some routes will also be marked as suitable for wheelchair users.
People will be able to check out their walk before they head out. They’ll be able to view photos and descriptions, see facts about landmarks and beauty spots, or look at distances and maps.
As well as being signposted to groups and events, there will be links to other leisure sites, such as Challenge Swindon, so people can find out about other local leisure activities. There will be a blog and a Facebook page coming soon too - for information sharing on walking.
Cllr Brian Mattock, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “I am delighted the council has teamed up with the Ramblers and NHS Swindon to develop this website as I think it will be of great benefit to many residents in the borough.
“Not only does walking keep you healthy in body and mind, but the routes will give many people the chance to explore their local area.”
Pat Crabb, from the North East Wilts group of the Ramblers, said: “This is a wonderful project and we’ve really enjoyed working with Swindon Borough Council to encourage people to get to their feet and experience the benefits of short walks near to where they live or work.
“Local Ramblers and volunteers have been trained to source short, interesting routes to download and follow from this new online resource and we hope people will soon be out exploring their local surroundings, enjoying their increased fitness, and think of joining us on some of our guided walks to develop their walking experiences even further.”
Fiona Dickens, Public Health Physical Activity Lead for NHS Swindon, said: “The Get Walking in Swindon website is an excellent resource to support people in Swindon to be more active, more often.
“Regular activity, including walking, can reduce your risk of developing a number of conditions such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke. It is also helps reduce stress and low levels of depression.
“We recommend people to aim to be active for at least 30 minutes at least five days a week. The activity should be at a level where you feel your heart beating a bit faster and you feel a bit sweaty.”
For more information, log on to www.getwalking.org/swindon