Minister Mark Drakeford AM (seated) with walkers and staff of Monmouthshire’s leisure services
Welsh Government Health and Social Services minister, Mark Drakeford AM, paid a visit to Caldicot Leisure Centre on Wednesday, 6th August to launch a website aimed at making things easier for people in Wales to start walking towards a healthy future.
Mr Drakeford joined members of the town’s FIT 4 Life group to unveil Let’s Walk Cymru’s new website which boasts exciting new features for people looking to take steps into walking. Only 29% of people in Wales are meeting physical activity guidelines set out to help people stay healthy. Walking is the easiest way for people to achieve this and the Let’s Walk Cymru website provides people with everything they need to get started.
Let’s Walk Cymru’s development officer, Melanie Jones, said: “We were really pleased Mark Drakeford was able to join us to launch our new website.
“The site allows you to enter your postcode and find all the group walks running in your area so you can find a walk to suit you, as well as register for the walks online. Alternatively, if you’re looking to start walking on your own, or with friends and family, there’s plenty of expert advice on how to get started.
“If you’re already a keen walker and would like to help others find their feet, we also have information on how you can get involved as a volunteer.”
Following the launch, Caldicot FIT 4 Life members led a celebratory walk from the leisure centre to Pill Row and Caldicot Castle.
The Caldicot Fit 4 Life walking group was formed when members of the Monmouthshire National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) agreed to meet to explore the area on foot. The Exercise Referral Scheme encourages people with a wide variety of medical conditions to lead a more active lifestyle by attending sessions at their local leisure centre and taking advantage of opportunities for more exercise.
Mr Drakeford said: “Walking is a great way to get fit and healthy and it’s suitable for almost anyone to start. Sometimes people need a helping hand to take steps into regular exercise and that’s exactly what Let’s Walk Cymru helps to do. I hope lots of people will make use of the new website and start walking today.”
County Councillor Bob Greenland, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for leisure added: “We support four Fit 4 Life groups from our leisure centres at Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow and Monmouth with backing from our Countryside Services and Let’s Walk Cymru. Thirty volunteers have trained to act as walk leaders, planning routes and ensuring safety on each walk. As well as regular weekly walking sessions, groups meet socially after each walk so the activity is a great way to keep fit and make friends”.
Let’s Walk Cymru is a Welsh Government funded initiative run by Ramblers Cymru. For further information, visit www.letswalkcymru.org.uk.
