Step change for Walking for Health

Changes in Government mean that many public bodies are looking at how they deliver their work and considering how best they can support the development of ‘Big Society’.

Natural England is working to find ways that the public ('civil society') can get involved in helping people engage with the natural environment. As part of this process, we are currently looking at the Walking for Health programme and how it will be taken forward.

Recognising the value of Walking for Health

In many ways, Walking for Health is already a good example of how Big Society should work. It empowers people to take an active role in improving their own health and the health of their community.

Both Natural England and the Department of Health recognise the value of Walking for Health and want to see it continue and prosper. It is a cost effective way of getting people active, and better still, it's led by volunteers.

This is reflected in the Government’s recent consultation on the Natural Environment White Paper:

Increasing access to the natural environment can provide both mental and physical health benefits. Evidence from the Natural England / Department of Health Walking for Health scheme suggests that for every £1 invested in the scheme, £7 worth of health benefit is delivered.

Natural Environment White Paper

Your input into the future of Walking for Health

As the sponsor of Walking for Health and supporter of local walk schemes, Natural England is looking at how best to secure these benefits for the future.  It is likely that the options will centre on transferring our central support functions to a voluntary sector organisation or partnership.

The needs of our walk schemes are the most important consideraton as we develop new approaches to supporting Walking for Health. We’ll be seeking views from walk scheme co-ordinators on new ways of working and the level and type of support you require. We want to help local schemes thrive and grow in the changing landscape of public health.

With additional input from the voluntary and community sectors, we hope to have possible options identified by the end of March 2011, with changes likely to take place over the next year.

We will keep you updated on all major decisions through this website and our e-newsletter. Please bear with us as we seek to develop the best alternative models to create a healthy future for Walking for Health - one that supports the development of all your schemes.

Natural England's Walking for Health team

Find out more about Big Society (Conservative Party website)