About Get Walking Keep Walking

Get Walking Keep Walking is a project that helps people in big cities do more regular local walking to improve their health and well-being. The project provides free locally based walking programmes combining information and motivation with led walks and other activities. We currently have projects running in Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, Durham, Swindon and the London boroughs of Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Hackney.

People who live outside of these areas can use My Get Walking, the online version of the walking pack which includes a logbook, walking information, weekly motivational emails and links to sites to find local walks.

The project is aimed at people from deprived urban areas who aren’t already active enough for good health. It aims to encourage regular independent walking close to home as part of everyday life – not only health and leisure walks but everyday trips on foot, such as to the shops, school or work. It encourages walking for mental well-being as well as physical health.

Activities are run by volunteers as well as staff, including volunteer walking ambassadors – keen walkers who already know the local area. Volunteers are also involved in finding attractive walking routes around the local area, using quiet streets, footpaths, parks and green spaces. These routes are used on led walks and will be publicised more widely so everyone can enjoy them.

Many local programmes are open to everyone and are based at leisure and community centres and other venues. Some are based at community groups and projects: for example Sure Starts and Children’s Centres, centres for the elderly, community centres, health projects, black and ethnic minority groups. Some are based with the local NHS, in GP practices, health centres and at Mental Health Trusts and projects.

All walks are short (usually an hour or less), easy going and taken at an easy pace. They start from and usually return to our local centres.