History of the Walking For Health Scheme
In 2001 The Big Lottery Fund, CCW (Countryside Council for Wales), and British Heart Foundation launched a programme to increase the health and well-being of disadvantaged and sedentary people by promoting regular brisk walking within local communities. One of the ways in which they hoped to achieve this was by providing grants and advice to support 22 local "Walking the Way to Health" schemes across Wales.
The scheme developed gradually over these early years and in 2004 Cardiff Walking for Health was successful in a funding bid to CCW, securing a grant of £38,000 over 2 and a half years (up until December 2006.) This funding brought about the appointment of a part-time Walking for Health Co-ordinator, which enabled rapid development of the scheme as it gave focused facilitation, development and promotion of the scheme in Cardiff.
In 2007 the Welsh Assembly Government agreed to support walking schemes in Wales through Let's Walk Cymru. This funding will however only last until September 2010.
The scheme's future is under discussion.
Cardiff Walking for Health now has 13 regular walks in various areas of the city.
Throughout the year Cardiff Walking for Health also hosts a number of Special Event Walks and produces a bi-annual Newsletter for its regular walkers.
Cardiff Walking for Health has also developed a series of Independent Walks in partnership with our various steering group members.