Walk Safe is a walking scheme specifically focused on older people currently leading semi-sedentary lifestyles and living independently or in sheltered accommodation.

The project provides a series of ‘close to home’ walks, using local parks and green spaces, that helps to build confidence and trust to go outdoors, in elderly people at risk of exclusion from their local communities.

So, not only does this project support its beneficiaries to become more physically active, it also reconnects older people with their local neighbourhoods, enables them to build new friendships and improves their mental wellbeing.

The project also trains volunteers to act as walking guides, who are responsible for organising and leading the walks. It works with health care providers, social housing providers, care homes and older people support services to promote the project, and recruit appropriate participants. As a result of these activities the project will create a community capacity that will continue to facilitate organised walking activities in the longer term.