Set Up A Community Project

There are a number of schemes in the UK that have used Nordic Walking to encourage participation in green space and exercise. Projects are using Nordic Walking as part of GP referral schemes, cardiac rehab, working to combat obesity, keeping older people active, and in deprived areas encouraging people into exercise. The list is not exhaustive and more and more local authorities, health trusts, voluntary organisations, PCTs and community groups are setting up Nordic Walking projects.

For areas that already have active walking for health schemes, Nordic Walking can be a valuable addition. It adds a fresh interest for groups and can also be used to increase the intensity of the exercise without individuals ‘feeling’ overworked.

	Volunteer scheme e.g: Age Concern Cymru Age Concern Cymru initially recruited 10 volunteers from across Wales to deliver free Nordic Walking classes to the over 55’s. The volunteers were trained to become Nordic Walking UK Instructors as an in-house course. Age Concern Cymru employed a project coordinator to initially set up and support the volunteers. Each instructor was allocated a set of teaching poles and were supported by their local age concern to set up and promote classes.

	Training Key People e.g: Gwynedd Health Authority Gwynedd Health Authority wanted to develop Nordic Walking in their area. They identified key people from the area who Could use Nordic Walking in their current roles. For example, cardiac rehab officers, walking coordinators, outdoor pursuits instructors etc. An in-house course trained 14 people as INWA instructors. The project then bought a joint pole bag to be shared as a resource among the projects.

	External Contract e.g: Venture Out Bridgend Venture Out wanted to use Nordic Walking to increase participation in exercise among women over the age of 50. This group is typically hard to motivate and Venture Out felt that an external agency would be best to deliver the project. Barefoot Studio, a local Nordic Walking centre, was contracted in to delver a 12-month Nordic Walking project. A development worker began working with local people; offering tasters, risk assessing routes and identifying key walking areas. Walking groups have now been set up which are delivered by Barefoot Studio instructors. The long-term plan is to identify local people who in time will be able to train as instructors and continue to run classes. The project is also looking at a pole loan scheme to encourage exercise in between organised classes.