Luciana Berger, MP for Wavertree and Shadow Health Minister joined a Walk for Health session on Friday 29th August to help promote the health benefits of walking.

The session began at World Museum Liverpool at 11:00am, and saw Walk Leaders from Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust and World Museum guiding the MP and other participants on a group walk around scenic areas of the city centre, along the Pier Head and Waterfront.

Walk for Health

Walk for Health is a city-wide initiative run by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust, which provides a wide range of short guided walks around Liverpool’s parks and open spaces.

Walks run year round to help support people of all ages and abilities to get active, including those recovering from a period of illness.

There are a total of 14 different walks per week to choose from – covering both daytimes and weekends – from simple, short walks to longer, more complex routes. All of the sessions are run by qualified Walk Leaders, and are completely free to attend.

Both nationally and here in Liverpool, over 70% of people are still failing to meet the Government’s health recommendation for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (20 minutes each day).

Luciana Berger MP for Wavertree and Shadow Health Minister, said:

“I was delighted to join Walk for Health for one of their sessions, in order to help highlight the importance of getting a moderate level of simple exercise into everyday life.”

Andy Ireland, Walk for Health Coordinator, Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust explains:

“Getting regular exercise and maintaining an active lifestyle needn’t feel like hard work. Walking is a really great way to introduce physical activity into your everyday life, and improve your health, fitness and wellbeing.

“It’s easy to do because it can fit it into your existing daily routine, and it won’t cost you anything either.”

Some of the proven health benefits of walking include:

• Sleeping better
• Reduced stress
• Improved mental wellbeing
• Increasing fitness
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Reduced risk of developing heart disease and other long-term health conditions

Andy adds:

“Often people don’t realise that not getting regular exercise is as bad for your health as smoking 20 –a-day. The good news is that just by introducing the recommended amount of moderate activity through walking you can extend your life expectancy by an average of nine years.

“And when it comes to getting active, doing anything really is better than nothing – even as little as just 15-20 minutes of walking each day really can make a huge difference.

“So whether it’s joining a local walking group like ours, planning a regular stroll to the local shops or walking around a local park to relax, walking is something that everyone can do to help improve their health.”

For more information about Walk for Health including locations and times please call: 0151 295 3256 or visit: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/north-west/liverpool-walk-for-health