Keen walker, Sue Kennedy, 63, is the first of nearly 300 walkers to receive a loyalty award, this Wednesday 29 July at Stratford Leisure Centre, for attendance from Stratford-on-Avon District Council's 'Set The Pace' health walk scheme, designed specifically with those aged 45 and over in mind.
The District Councils Active Communities Team, who organise and lead the hour-long walks along with a group of volunteers from the local community, devised the loyalty scheme to encourage their members to walk more often. Walkers who wanted to take part were given a card with 32 footprints on it. As an incentive, every time they attend a walk, they become one step closer to completing the card, after which they will all receive a small prize.
However, as Sue was the first to complete hers, after only 10 weeks, she receives a special accolade. She has attended health walks in Stratford-on-Avon, Shipston-on-Stour, Alcester and is a regular at Track Walking on Stratford High School's Athletics Track helping her completed the card in such a short space of time.
Sue receives her award at the same time that scheme, which now offers a total of 8 walks each week in the Stratford District, reaches its first anniversary, and also as she takes on the responsibilities of being a volunteer walk leader after completing her training this month.
Sue, who has been a regular at classes at Stratford Leisure Centre but really enjoys the social aspect of the walks, says, You don't realise how far you have walked because you are so busy chatting, enjoying the scenery, and having fun! It is nice to think that different people of all ages and abilities can find something so enjoyable and healthy to do together.
If you are interested in finding out more about Track Walking or the health walks in your area, or would like more information on becoming a volunteer walk leader, please call the Active Communities Team on 01789 260648 or 260650.
Set the Pace walks:
" Bidford - Mondays 10.30am at The Bridge;
" Alcester - Tuesdays 10am at The Greig Centre;
" Southam - Tuesdays 2pm at the Leisure Centre;
" Stratford - Wednesdays 10.30am at the Leisure Centre;
" Studley - Wednesdays 2.30pm at the Youth Centre;
" Shipston - Thursdays 10am at the Leisure Centre; and
" Wellesbourne - Fridays 9.45am at the Village Hall.
" Also on offer Stratford Track Walking, Wednesdays 5.30-7pm Stratford High School Athletics Track.
Stratford District Councils Set The Pace Health Walk scheme, has been awarded national accreditation by Walking the Way to Health, a Natural England initiative. The scheme, set up by the District Councils Active Communities Team who design and deliver physical activity programmes specifically with those aged 45 or over in mind, has successfully demonstrated that it meets the essential criteria for ensuring high safety and insurance standards, and will now be formally recognised by health professionals.
