Southport – Getting fit is a walk in the park!

12th May 2017
Getting fit is a walk in the park

A Southport medical practice is backing an idea from one of its patients to walk for health.

Norwood Surgery has swung into action by setting up a weekly walk in Hesketh Park to aid fitness and mobility to benefit the community. This is one of a number of walks that form part of Sefton’s Active walks programme.

The patient who proposed the walking event, Barbara Forster, said: “It is an accepted fact that walking is a wonderful way to exercise, especially for those who may have health problems.

“So I suggested to Norwood medical staff at our Patient Participation Group meeting that we should take advantage of the attractions of Hesketh Park and get out in the fresh air for some valuable companionship and exercise.

When I mentioned the possibility of starting a walking group I never envisaged it would take off like it has.

“Our first group coped brilliantly, we did 5100 steps in forty minutes – just over half of the daily suggested figure of 10,000 steps per day. I’m delighted that my idea has been so successful with more and more people joining us in the park.”

Norwood’s Dr Simon Tobin said: “The physical and psychological benefits of walking are well known and we were only too pleased to take up Barbara’s suggestion and involve local Clinical Psychologist Dr Jen Unwin in setting up the group. We have developed a culture of listening to our patients and this is a great example of putting it into practice. I turned up for the first walk just to see how it was going and found it so relaxing that I’ve been back every week since!”

Cambridge Ward Councillor Pat Keith, who has been on the walk, said: “It’s very encouraging to see a surgery which not only dispenses medication but also is keen to develop the holistic approach and put people in control of their own health and well being.”

The walk is open to everyone, not just patients at Norwood Surgery. If you would like to join the walk please collect an information pack from Norwood Surgery, 11 Norwood Avenue or check the Sefton Active Walks website.

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