Promoting Well Being

Walk Leader Festival 2009

12th March Parkanaur Manor House, Dungannon

90 walk leaders from across the Southern area have taken part in an annual walking festival in Parkanaur Manor House, Dungannon.

The Southern Area Walking Festival brings together trained Volunteer Walk Leaders from Craigavon, Banbridge, Armagh, Dungannon and Newry and Mourne. 

Organised by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, the day gave recognition to   volunteers who set up and lead walking groups throughout the year.  It was also a networking opportunity for walk leaders to exchange information on local walks, funding opportunities and other topics.  

The walk leader programme is funded by the Southern Area Physical Activity Implementation Group (SAIG) to train a network of volunteers to organise safe and fun walks in their communities.  With the emphasis on walking for health, the scheme targets those who exercise least.

Sabrina Lynn, Physical Activity Coordinator for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said: “Research has shown that that brisk walking is one of the most accessible and inexpensive forms of exercise. It has been proven that 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, like walking, most days of the week can positively improve a person’s health, reducing the risk of heart disease, obesity, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and bowel cancer.  Walking can also help to reduce stress while being a social and enjoyable activity.”

The walking festival included a presentation from the University of Ulster who provided an update on the health benefits of walking including current research findings.  Representatives from the local Community Transport Partnerships also provided information to the walkers on how they could support the groups.

The day ended with a series of walks around the beautiful Parkanaur Forest Park led by the Southern Walking for Health team.

Some pictures from the day