Stepping out in North Somerset

A group of volunteer health walk leaders from Nailsea are celebrating five years of their community walking programme, which sees as many as 60 people walking every week.

The volunteers trained with North Somerset Council and NHS North Somerset in 2007 and launched their first walks in January 2008.

The Nailsea group is part of the national Walking For Health initiative. 

Groups are now established in six towns in North Somerset with 80 volunteer walk leaders involved. 

The regular walks are set up to encourage people who need to walk more to improve their health. 

The short walks last 30 minutes to an hour and welcome walkers of all abilities.

North Somerset Council active lifestyles development officer Bob Hill said: "People in Nailsea have really benefited from joining the regular health walks in and around the town. 

"Many feel much fitter and have made new friends through the group.

"The success of the Nailsea health walks is testament to how well the volunteers run the group. 

"The walk leaders are very friendly, enthusiastic and offer various lengths of walk to suit the needs of whoever turns up on the day."

The Nailsea group meets every Monday at 11am. 

Walks are on mainly flat terrain and are open to anyone. 

The starting point alternates monthly between Scotch Horn Leisure Centre and Grove Sports Centre, with an 'away' walk which ventures further afield at the end of each month.

Walkers usually enjoying a post-walk coffee at either the Scotch Horn Leisure Centre or the Tithe Barn near Grove Sports Centre depending on the starting point of the stroll.

•  The next 'away' walk in Nailsea is on Monday, January 28,  when the group meet at the public car park at Tyntesfield. The walk sets off at 11am. Again walkers can choose from a short walk of 30 minutes or a longer walk of about an hour. For more information on the Nailsea group call walk leader and town councillor John Wilson on 01275 852942.  
• The next Portishead walk is also stepping out on Monday, January 28. This group meets at The Café, Lake Grounds. The walk leaves at 11am and lasts about an hour. The group often welcomes around 30 walkers who enjoy a sociable walk at an easy pace in and around Portishead, with the occasional excursion further afield. For more information on the Portishead group call walk leader Anne Brain on 01275 374867.  
• And last but not least the Weston-super-Mare walkers will be out and about on Monday, January 28. The Weston group meets at Moor Lane bus stop, Hutton village.The walk sets off at 2pm and lasts about an hour. The group walks from a different destination each week, with more than 30 routes in Weston and the surrounding villages. For more information on the Weston group call walk leader John Western on 01934 511 808.  

To find out more about health walks in North Somerset contact the district council team on 01275 882730 .