Keeping Active
Did you know that a 30 minute walk could keep the doctor away?
Many people think of walking as recreational and not really exercise, but that daily walk can be hugely beneficial to your health – and it’s free to do!
Health and Social Care Walks
Taking part in one of the many Health and Social Walks across West Dunbartonshire will help you get out and about, meet new people and socialise with friends and family, all at the same time.
We are lucky to have a wealth of local parks and green spaces where we can walk safely and comfortably, but it’s equally important to take the opportunity to walk a bit more wherever we are.
Dementia Friendly Health Walks
A Dementia Friendly Health Walk is much like any other walk. It’s social and open to the whole community, led by a Dementia Friendly Walk Leader using accessible paths.
What makes a Health Walk Dementia Friendly is including people living with dementia in the development of walks, providing Dementia Friendly Walk Leader training to volunteer walk leaders, building partnerships with organisations and agencies and ensuring that people living with dementia know about walking activities in their community.
Walking and Wheeling
All of our walking routes are pre-planned and risk assessed ensuring our Walking And Wheeling routes are accessible to people who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters and mobility aids.
Walking Friendly West Dunbartonshire (WFWD)
Supported by NHSGGC and Paths for All, Walking Friendly West Dunbartonshire is a partnership of community-based organisations offering FREE accessible health and social walks around the authority area.
Working together, we want to raise awareness of what is already going on across West Dunbartonshire and develop additional walks to meet new demand. The WFWD forum meets quarterly. If you are interested in taking part please contact the Network Co-ordinator, Daren Borzynski on 0141 941 0886 or at walking@wdcvs.com
Interested in getting involved, but would like to try a walk or two out before signing up?
You can view our photographic route maps here.
Interested in joining our team of Walk Leaders?
WFWD is looking for enthusiastic, reliable people to become Health Walk Leaders.
In this role, you will lead group walks following agreed local routes in a safe, responsible and enjoyable way. You will work as part of a team, encouraging and supporting community members of varying abilities to become more active, at a pace that suits everyone’s needs.
As a Walk Leader, you will receive free training and will be supported by the project coordinator. After training we ask that you commit to volunteering with us over at least a 6-month period.
Want to know more? Get in touch at walking@wdcvs.com or by calling 0141 941 0886.
Angela - Volunteer Walk Leader
“Walking isn’t just about exercise, It’s great for reducing social isolation”
Walk Leader Training
Are you a local organisation considering offering health walks?
WFWD can provide access to free Walk Leader training sessions and offer targeted support to get your walk established. You will also be able to access the WFWD Network and attend forum meetings.
Want to know more? Get in touch at walking@wdcvs.com or by calling 0141 941 0886.
Caitlin - Vale of Leven Trust
"The walk leader training was perfect for giving us a clear idea for what a Health Walk is and what is expected of us as walk leaders. We covered everything from the reasons people might come for a health walk, what the barriers might be to them joining, to creating risk assessments for when we create our own routes. I left the course feeling ready to get out there and get walking!"
