Joining a local walking group, such as our area’s branch of the Ramblers Association, could make a real difference to your health. Giving you confidence and connection with others.
These groups are designed to support anyone who wants to be more active, meet new people, or explore the outdoors safely.
Walking groups are especially helpful for people who may be older, living with long‑term health conditions, or feeling socially isolated. Research shows that Ramblers’ programmes often attract people who are currently inactive and need gentle encouragement to stay active, with 85% of walkers over 55 and around one‑third living with a serious health condition .
Group walks offer:
- Safe, guided routes led by trained volunteers, with short and accessible options for all fitness levels.
- Regular social contact, which is often just as important as the exercise itself for those who may not see many people day‑to‑day.
- Confidence‑building, especially for people new to walking or exploring the local area.
- Physical and mental health benefits, from reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes to improving mood and reducing stress
Many local Ramblers groups also run steady‑paced wellbeing walks, designed for people managing health conditions, mobility challenges, or anxiety about exercising outdoors.
These walks can be as short as 10–30 minutes and provide a gentle, supported way to get moving again .
By joining a local walking group, people can enjoy the outdoors, meet friendly faces, and take small steps toward better health and wellbeing, all at their own pace.
For more information on The Ramblers Association in our area, click the link below:
The Ramblers: Britain’s walking charity
