Walking while talking - a great combination!

Pat Cunnington of Okehampton Walk and Talk tells of the joy of sociable exercise….

Okehampton Walk and Talk Group is part of  England’s largest network of health walk schemes, Walking for Health, which is funded by MacMillan and The Ramblers.  Okehampton Walk and Talk is helping people across the town and surrounding areas to lead a more active lifestyle.

Group walks are led by friendly, specially trained volunteers who are on hand to provide encouragement and support and make sure no one gets left behind! We have a front leader and a back leader for every walk, and they are all volunteers.

Why should you walk?

If you have problems with your health, or if you've had them in the past, it can be hard to stay active, but walking could make all the difference. It's a low impact exercise, so it's easy for you to get involved, even if you're not feeling your best. In fact, walking could help you feel great again!  Walking has been shown to help with heart disease, diabetes, asthma, dementia, depression and many more illnesses.  All you need is a sturdy pair of shoes or boots and clothes that are suitable for the weather conditions - yes, we walk in all weathers!  I have been walking with the group for six years and I have only known two walks that have been cancelled.

‘Walking is the nearest activity to the perfect exercise’ — Prof Jerry Morris.

The history of our group is interesting. In 2004 the group was started in the autumn with six walkers, one walk leader and four different walks and these walks were funded by South West Lakes. The group quickly grew to double figures and members came from Okehampton, Lewdown, Hatherleigh and Halwell Junction. New leaders came forward and training was introduced; with new leaders, new walks were also formed. 

With increasing publicity and word of mouth, Sunday walks were introduced always followed by a Devon Cream Tea!

Over the past 13 years Walk and Talk in Okehampton has helped innumerable people find companionship, friendship, laughter and something to look forward to each week.

Now in 2017 we have three levels of walk. Level 1 walk is for about 20 minutes on flat ground, level 2 walks are around 40 minutes and level 3 walks last about 90 minutes, some of them are on uneven ground. We still run our Sunday walks which are often taken a bit further afield and are a little more challenging, but still last about 90 minutes and still followed by a cream tea! Our groups cater for all levels and we walk at a sensible pace - no running! We meet opposite the Post Office and our group is FREE. Tuesday walks meet at 10.30am and Wednesday walks meet at 10am. After we have walked and talked, we talk again over a cup of coffee or tea.

I joined the group when my health was very poor. I had suffered from asthma for most of my life but it did not hinder my sports until the symptoms changed and coughing all day became part of my life. At this time it was affecting my walking and my playing badminton and I felt very low. I saw the Walk and Talk group advertised, so I went along and it changed my life quite positively. Myself and my husband would walk at a sensible speed and when you are with a group of chatty people, your mind is not questioning whether you will be able to climb a hill or not. I became more positive in my outlook on life and made new friends. I found out a year later that I was also suffering from bronchiectasis. I was given a long-term dose of antibiotics and my lung capacity improved by 30%. After my health improved I decided to become a walk leader and took my turn in leading the Tuesday walks, as I wanted to give other people the chance I was given by joining Walk and Talk.

A year ago the funding to OCRA, who oversaw our group, was withdrawn, but we felt very strongly that as walk leaders, we wanted the group to carry on, as it had helped so many people. We formed ourselves into a charity and elected officers, who with the backing of a committee have carried on the group for the last year, very successfully.

But - and there is always a but - we need your help and support. If you would like to join our walks, then just come along or get in touch with me. If you would like to be a leader - we ALWAYS want walk leaders - then you can ring me on 01837 83487 or you can e-mail me on roywcunnington@gmail.com. If you want to know more about Walking for Health then log on to www.walkingforhealth.org.uk