Walking to Health

In the Barrow-in-Furness District: FEET FIRST IN FURNESS

What Is It All About?

The feet first project aims to encourage those who are inactive to take their first steps n becoming more active. It aims to increase participation and promote the benefits of walking in the Furness area to improve physical, social and emotional well-being.

The walks that are available are group led by trained volunteer walk leaders. If you would like to become a walk leader please go to the ‘training’ link on the left hand side of this page.

Why Walking?

  • Walking is free and fun
  • For our walks you do not need special clothing or footwear
  • Group walks give you the chance to make new friends
  • Regular walking can improve confidence, energy, weight control, stamina and life expectancy
  • Walking can reduce the risk of such things as coronary heart disease, strokes, diabetes, high blood pressure, stress and anxiety, osteoporosis and arthritis

What Is A Health Walk?

A health walk is any type of walking that makes you breathe a little faster, makes you feel warmer and makes your heart beat slightly faster. Gentle strolling is a good start for people not used to exercise.

Current recommendations are for 30 minutes moderate exercise 5 times per week. Walking fits in to this. Ideally this should be one continuous session but initially could be divided into 3 periods of 10 minutes or 2 periods of 15 minutes.

Start small and build up. Come to our walks and let us assist you to reach these targets.

Walking Advice

  • Wear sensible shoes
  • Drink a glass of water before and after your walk or bring a drink with you
  • If you have a history of heart trouble or other significant medical illness, talk to your doctor before you start
  • Stop walking if you experience unusual symptoms, such as chest pain, dizziness or breathlessness and consult your doctor
  • Why not invite your friends, family or work work colleagues to join you when you go walking

All Levels of Fitness Welcome

All walks are...

  • Wheelchair and push chair friendly
  • Free of charge
  • Last between 30 minutes and 1 hour
  • On hard and dry ground and are mainly flat
  • Take place whatever weather
  • We will be there to welcome you

If you have not been on a health walk before, please come 5 minutes before the advertised start time. You will be asked to fill in a short health check questionnaire.

Could you be a Volunteer Walk Leader?

We always need more trained walk leaders.  It's a great way to keep healthy and make new friends.  If you might be interested, please contact Richard Scott for further information.

Programme of Walks

'Feet First' Furness led walks, for more information please click here

Gentle walks in the Barrow area designed to provide a weekly opportunity for exercise for groups of people.

Length about 1.5 miles, time usually 40-50 minutes.

Starting points are:

Mondays:
Dalton Tudor Square 11:00am - walks round the old town

Tuesdays:
ASDA foyer 11:00am - Channelside walk or Ormsgill reservoir

Wednesdays:
Walney Mill Lane NCH Cafe 11:00am - Walney Shoreline

Thursdays:
Greengate Street NCH Cafe 10:30am - Barrow Park

Fridays:
Ulverston Rose Garden Victoria Rd 11:00am  - 5 different 1 hour led walks

Trained leaders will meet you on arrival at the starting point.

Pocket packs with details of 16 independent walks of similar level from the Cumbia CVS office 72 Scott Street and Barrow TIC. 

Lunchtime walks in Sunny Barrow

Lunchtime walks are now taking place every Tuesday and Thursday.  Join your work colleagues on our organised walks lasting approx 40-45 mins leaving Schneider Square at 12.30pm.

Monthly walks based on the stations on the Furness Line 2009-2010
 
Foxfield       Wed 2nd Dec
 
Millom         Wed 6th Jan 10
 
Kirkby          Wed 3rd Feb 10
 
Ulverston    Wed 3rd March 10
 
Each location will have:
a) A 40 minute location short walk
b) An 80 minute round walk
 
All at 10.30 am from the railway stations above
 
Ring Richard Scott on 01229 823144 for more details or email  richardsc@cumbriacvs.org.uk


FFF works as part of the Active Living for All - ALFA - and is supported by Cumbria CVS, Cumbria PCT and Nattural England.

Last updated: November 2009

Contact Details

If you would like any further information about the Walking the Way to Health scheme in Furness, or would be interested in becoming a Volunteer Walk Leader please contact:

Richard Scott
Cumbria CVS,
72-74 Scott street,
Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria LA14 1QE.
Tel: 01229 823144
Email: richardsc@cumbriacvs.org.uk

For the Dalton walks leaflet please see userfiles/file/Dalton Leaflet.pdf