Striding and Strolling their way to a national award
From Councillor Graham Craig, Cabinet Member for Community Services on 28 July 2010
A walking programme in Solihull is celebrating after being accredited with a national award.
The Striders and Strollers programme, which is run by Solihull Council, organises eight regular health walks around the borough and has received Natural England’s Walking for Health accreditation award.
To be eligible for this accreditation, the Striders and Strollers programme had to show that their walks were led, aimed at beginners and take in fairly flat courses that last for no longer than an hour. They also had to demonstrate that they met Walking for Health’s safety standards and that they collect basic monitoring information.
The walks in the borough are all led by trained volunteers and currently take place in Castle Bromwich, Chelmsley Wood, Dorridge, Kingshurst, Solihull, Shirley and Smith’s Wood.
Angela Smith, Walking for Health lead adviser, said: “Accreditation informs supporters, participants, partners and funders alike that the individual scheme provides a safe, quality walking experience to every walker and their scheme is part of a bigger whole that is properly and robustly evaluated.”
Councillor Graham Craig, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “I’m really pleased the Striders and Strollers programme has been rewarded with this accreditation. Not only are the walks a great way to improve your health but they are also a really good opportunity to meet new people and make friends.”
All Striders and Strollers walks meet at 10.15am for a 10.30am start, and last around an hour, with a cup of tea/coffee available on return. For more information about the walks, contact Becky Glover on 0121 704 8075, email reglover@solihull.gov.uk.
For media enquiries only, please contact Dave Musson on 0121 704 6136
Email: dmusson@solihull.gov.uk