A BRISK walk on a crisp winter’s day can be one of life’s pleasures. Not only is it enjoyable, it can also help keep you fit and well, by improving the condition of your heart.

Since 2003, Rochford District Council has used the power of walking to improve the health of many of its residents.

The council’s health walks scheme has now been accredited by Walking The Way to Health, a joint initiative between Natural England and the British Heart Foundation.

Scheme co-ordinator Mark Aldous says: “Our health walks are free to participants and provide an easy way of getting regular exercise.

“There is compelling evidence of the benefits of moderate physical activity. Those who exercise enjoy greater life expectancy, with reduced risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type two diabetes, colonic cancer and osteoporosis.

“Walking can also be a catalyst for connecting people with many other aspects of health, such as healthy eating, stopping smoking and relaxation.”

Under its accreditation, Rochford Council is now part of a nationally evaluated scheme, as well as being recognised by health professionals, prospective partners and funders.

Mark says: “The accreditation shows the Rochford scheme is being run following the correct guidelines and is testament to the hard work and dedication all our volunteer walk leaders put into the scheme.”

Walking the Way to Health is the largest national body promoting and setting the standards for health-led walks.

It aims to get more people walking in their own communities, especially those who take little exercise or live in areas of poor health.

The initiative has helped to create 525 local health walk schemes across England and has trained over 34,000 volunteer walk leaders.

William Bird, strategic health advisor for Natural England, says: “The new accreditation scheme has been essential in ensuring high standards across the network and providing frontline health professionals with added confidence when referring their patients on.”

Leaders of the Rochford walks are fully trained, including in first-aid, and those taking part are asked to complete a small questionnaire to ensure the walk is suitable for their ability.

“Without the countless voluntary hours they commit to the scheme each year it just wouldn’t be able to run,” Mark says. “We have people taking part who are referred by their GP, or just want to get more exercise themselves.

“We have walks that last just half an hour which are suitable for those just starting out.”

Rochford District Health Walks Scheme welcomes new walkers throughout the year.

l If you’d like to join in with one of the walks, or train as a volunteer walk leader, call Mark on 01702 318121 or e-mail mark.aldous@rochford.gov.uk The scheme has the following walks: Mondays at 10.45am: Hullbridge Community Centre Thursdays at 2pm: Hockley Woods.