Solihull Striders & Strollers

Region: West Midlands

Last updated: 02, August 2011

Solihull health walks scheme works closely with local organisations, including Solihull Primary Care Trust, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, community organisations, as well as local GPs, park rangers and volunteers.

The walks are open to everyone, and all age groups are welcome, even little ones in pushchairs. If you're not used to doing much walking or exercise, you are particularly encouraged to join the fun. The areas we walk in are not hilly or rough, so that wheelchair users would also be able to join in.

Our walks

We have eight regular led walks in the borough, based at Kingshurst, Central Solihull, Shirley, Dorridge, Smith's Wood, Castle Bromwich and Chelmsley Wood.

The walks are usually around 1 hour in duration, though most offer a shorter walk of around 30 minutes. There is always a very welcome cup of tea or coffee on return, as well as the opportunity to chat and make new friends.

The walks offer a range of routes that allow for the appreciation and exploration of local surroundings, environment and wildlife.  The scheme also offers a track based walk for both less able walkers and faster walkers.  The track enables you to walk continuously at your own pace on a safe surface.  All walks meet at 10.15 am for a 10.30 am departure. 

Walks take place fortnightly as listed below:

• MONDAY:  Castle Bromwich Walk, Castle Bromwich Library, Hurst Lane North, Castle Bromwich, Solihull, B36 0EY
• TUESDAY:  Chelmsley Wood Walk, St Andrew's Church Hall, Pike Drive, Chelmsley Wood, B37 7US
• WEDNESDAY: Central Solihull Walk, Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1NB
• THURSDAY: Dorridge Walk, St George & Theresa's Church Hall, Station Road, Dorridge, B93 8EY

The following walks are take place on the alternate week:

• TUESDAY:  Tudor Grange Track Walk, Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, Blossomfield Road, Solihull, B91 1NB
• THURSDAY:  Kingshurst Walk, Seeds of Hope, St Barnabus Church, Overgreen Drive, Kingshurst, B37 6EY
• FRIDAY:  Shirley Walk, Shirley Methodist Church, Stratford Road, Shirley, B90 3RQ
• SATURDAY: You+ Shop Walk, 1 Coppice Way, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5TS

The walks are all led by trained volunteer walk leaders; their help and support are key to the success of the walks. Our walkers keep on coming, so they clearly find them very worthwhile!  More help is always needed, so we are on the lookout for new volunteers to ensure that we go from strength to strength.