Islanders are walking their way to health and its congratulations all the way to IW Health Walks, who have been awarded accreditation by Walking the way to Health, a joint initiative between Natural England and the British Heart Foundation.

IW Health Walks became an accredited scheme on 10th Dec 2008, having successfully demonstrated that they meet the required criteria.  This includes offering led walks for beginners, meeting the “Walking the way to Health” safety and insurance standards for all walks and collecting basic monitoring information…

As an accredited scheme, IW Health Walks will benefit from being seen as part of a nationally evaluated scheme as well as being formally recognised by health professionals, prospective partners and funders.

Isle of Wight Health Walks Leaflet

Louise Gray Scheme co-ordinator for IW Health Walks, says:

“It is all thanks to the hard work and commitment of the volunteer Health walk leaders that allow the IW Health Walks to offer a wide range of enjoyable walks to the residents of the Isle of Wight, to encourage healthy lifestyles “

William Bird, Strategic Health Advisor for Natural England says:

“The new accreditation scheme has been essential in ensuring high standards across the WHI network and providing frontline health professionals with added confidence when referring their patients on.”

IW Health Walks welcomes new walkers throughout the year. If you’d like to walk with IW Health Walks or train as a Walking the way to Health Volunteer Walk Leader please contact the Scheme Co-ordinator, Louise Gray, on 814283 or louise.gray@iow.nhs.uk.