The Every Step Counts wellbeing walking group has taken its second step on the road to better wellbeing and fitness by getting people active in West Kingsdown.
The group has been organising walks in Otford for residents looking for light exercise and companionship or those with a long-term health condition or who may be overweight, or those who lack fitness or the confidence and self-esteem to go out walking alone.
After popular demand, with the Otford group recently taking its collective 50,000th step, the West Kingsdown walk launched on Wednesday 24 January from West Kingsdown Pavilion and will continue every Wednesday thereafter.
Former BBC newsreader, Peter Sissons, who launched the first Every Step Counts walk in Otford, came along and helped launch the second wellbeing walk as well as Kent Sports Trust founder, Steve Wolfe.
Having braved the atrocious weather on the day, Sissons was delighted to see dozens of people getting out, being active and making new friends:
“I can’t endorse this any more than I am. It’s great to see so many people out there, in the driving rain, showing how important it is to be active.”
“I live in Sevenoaks and my wife walks most days and it’s spurred me on to get out and do a lot more. I’ve got Knole Park on my doorstep and it costs nothing to go out and have a good healthy walk.”
“The main thing about Every Step Counts is how it brings people together, helping forge friendships whilst getting people active at the same time.”
Steve Wolfe of Kent Sports Trust added:
“I can’t congratulate the team from Every Step Counts enough for their magnificent initiative in getting communities active through walking. Having experienced it for myself now, it’s great to see so many people of all ages and abilities, getting together for something that will undoubtedly improve their physical health, but also their mental health.”
“We are now working with the Every Step Counts group to see if we can roll out ESC to all parts of Kent. I’d urge anyone to get involved as the team at Kent Sports Trust certainly will be.”
The walks last around 30 minutes and are organised and run by volunteers with the help and support of Sevenoaks District Council’s Healthy Living Team and led by three qualified walk volunteers, Cllr Anna Firth, Jo Kingston and Irene Collins.
A new walk in Swanley and Chevening and Brasted are all in the pipeline for later in the Spring.
Cllr Michelle Lowe, Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Health, said: “With the walk in Otford proving to be so popular, we’re very happy to see another walk launch in West Kingsdown, giving residents even more of a chance to take on some light-exercise amongst great company.
“A 20 to 30 minute walk can do wonders for both physical and mental health, so local people should come on down to the latest wellbeing walk and get back into fitness.”
Residents can find out more about Every Step Counts by e-mailing [email protected] and more information about other health walks in the District, is available by calling 01732 227000, e-mailing [email protected] or visiting www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/healthwalks