Latest news with #LivingStreets'
Edinburgh Reporter
21-05-2025
- Science
- Edinburgh Reporter
Space walk is part of Walk to School Week
Local school pupils met at The Scottish Parliament for a special space-themed walk as part of Living Streets' Walk to School Week. Pupils from Royal Mile Primary School in Edinburgh dressed as astronauts for Living Streets' Walk to School Week which takes place from 19-23 May. Joined by representatives from The City of Edinburgh Council they set off on a space-themed walk to Dynamic Earth and Planetarium, enjoying discovering facts about the solar system and how walking and wheeling to school can help protect our planet. Pupils also enjoyed a visit to Dynamic Earth and Planetarium, the only science centre and planetarium in Edinburgh. During Walk to School Week, pupils across Scotland are encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot, or wheel to school each day during the week, to feel the benefits of getting active before the school day. This year's Walk to School Week theme, The Great Space Walk, has inspired thousands of children to travel actively to school each day of the week, with over 250,000 pupils already signed up for the challenge. Chris Thompson, Programme Manager, Living Streets Scotland said: 'Walk to School Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary steps pupils across Scotland are taking to make their journey to school more active, which is better for individuals, communities and the planet. 'By choosing to walk, they're showing how small actions lead to big impacts, such as easing congestion, improving air quality, and creating cleaner, healthier streets. We hope this week inspires others to walk and wheel to school and discover how easy it can be to make their daily commute truly 'out of this world'.' Mrs Black, Head Teacher at Royal Mile Primary School said: 'It is wonderful to see how much our children enjoy participating in the WOW challenge, and having their hard work acknowledged in this way is incredibly rewarding. 'We are extremely proud of our pupils for their enthusiasm to walk and wheel to school in all weathers. We've also seen a real difference in the number of cars outside the school gates, making the roads safer for pupils and the wider community.' Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council said: 'Walking, wheeling and cycling to school has such a positive impact on young people. It helps build independence, improves road awareness, and helps pupils start the day feeling energised and ready to learn. 'From ambitious active travel projects like the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) and Roseburn to Union Canal along with traffic calming and road safety measures – we're committed to making people feel more comfortable walking, wheeling, and cycling, whilst creating more liveable and inclusive streets and neighbourhoods. 'Congratulations to the pupils and staff at Royal Mile Primary School for their outstanding commitment to travelling to school in safer, healthier, and more sustainable ways.' Living Streets Scotland currently delivers WOW – the walk to school challenge in more than 200 primary schools across the country. The pupil-led initiative encourages students to log their active journeys to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker. Pupils who walk, cycle, scoot, or wheel to school once a week for a month are rewarded with a special collectible badge. You can find out more about Living Streets, Walk to School Week and WOW – the walk to school challenge at Home | Living Streets. Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Take part in Walk Every Day in May with over 30 South Lanarkshire groups
The 'Walk Every Day in May' initiative is being rolled out to coincide with National Walking Month. May is set to become a month of movement as people in South Lanarkshire are encouraged to take part in a national campaign inspiring everyone to walk or wheel every single day for their physical and mental health. The 'Walk Every Day in May' initiative is being rolled out to coincide with National Walking Month and will highlight the simple yet transformative power of daily activity to showcase how walking can change lives and reveal unexpected discoveries one step at a time. Spearheaded by Paths for All, Scotland's national walking charity, its mission is to create a happier, healthier and greener Scotland where everyone can enjoy the benefits of walking and wheeling. Over 700 Health Walks are already taking place in Scotland, most are every week, and delivered by members of the Scottish Health Walk Network, with 31 across South Lanarkshire. The campaign provides a crucial opportunity to spotlight the accessibility, health benefits and sense of community that comes with being more active, regardless of age or ability. By encouraging people to build walking into their everyday routine, whether it's a brisk lunchtime stroll, a wander with friends or a wheeling commute, the campaign reinforces how vital physical activity is to both physical and mental wellbeing. Chief executive of Paths for All, Kevin Lafferty, said: 'This campaign is a celebration of the simplest, most accessible form of physical activity, one that requires no special equipment or memberships. 'Walking every day, even for short bursts, brings massive benefits for mental health, brings people together, and boosts physical wellbeing. And best of all, it's completely free. 'The mental health benefits of walking are well documented. A short stroll can lift your mood, reduce anxiety, and is a way to decompress from daily stress. Social walking groups also provide a lifeline for many, offering connection and companionship, especially for those at risk of isolation.' The campaign builds on findings from Paths for All's 2023 National Attitudes Survey and Living Streets' Pedestrian Pound report, both of which reveal a clear appetite for walking, but also highlight the barriers that hold people back. While many understand the physical and mental benefits, some feel unsure how to get started, and others lack the confidence to join local walking groups. To help overcome these hurdles, the campaign will spotlight real-life stories throughout May, featuring individuals whose lives have been transformed by making walking part of their daily routine. These personal accounts aim to inspire others to take that first step, no matter their age or ability. Although 86 per cent of people in Scotland live within five miles of a town centre, and 44 per cent already walk to local shops several times a week, awareness of the hundreds of free, organised Health Walks happening nearby remains surprisingly low. This campaign offers the perfect opportunity to shine a light on what's available and encourage more people to discover the benefits of walking right on their doorstep. Walk Every Day in May features a downloadable calendar of walking adventures, tips to help stay motivated, share discoveries and connect with others online, all helping to build a nationwide community of everyday walkers. For those who'd like some help to get walking, Paths for All supports Health Walk providers throughout Scotland. These groups deliver short, free walks led by trained volunteers who welcome participants of all abilities. Health Walks are ideal for those who haven't been active recently or need to do a little more. By joining a group, participants can enjoy guided routes, make new friends, and feel supported on their walking journey, not just during National Walking Month, but all year round. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Take part in Walk Every Day in May campaign to boost your physical and mental health
Initiative being rolled out to coincide with National Walking Month and will highlight the simple yet transformative power of daily activity to showcase how walking can change lives and reveal unexpected discoveries one step at a time. May is a month of movement as people in North Lanarkshire are encouraged to take part in a national campaign inspiring everyone to walk or wheel every single day for their physical and mental health. The Walk Every Day in May initiative is being rolled out to coincide with National Walking Month and will highlight the simple yet transformative power of daily activity to showcase how walking can change lives and reveal unexpected discoveries one step at a time. Spearheaded by Paths for All, Scotland's national walking charity, its mission is to create a happier, healthier and greener Scotland where everyone can enjoy the benefits of walking and wheeling. More than 700 Health Walks are already taking place Scotland - most are every week, and delivered by members of the Scottish Health Walk Network, with 26 across North Lanarkshire. The campaign provides a crucial opportunity to spotlight the accessibility, health benefits, and sense of community that comes with being more active, regardless of age or ability. By encouraging people to build walking into their everyday routine, whether it's a brisk lunchtime stroll, a wander with friends or a wheeling commute, the campaign reinforces how vital physical activity is to both physical and mental wellbeing. Chief executive of Paths for All, Kevin Lafferty, said: "This campaign is a celebration of the simplest, most accessible form of physical activity, one that requires no special equipment or memberships. "Walking every day, even for short bursts, brings massive benefits for mental health, brings people together, and boosts physical wellbeing. And best of all, it's completely free. "The mental health benefits of walking are well documented. A short stroll can lift your mood, reduce anxiety, and is a way to decompress from daily stress. "Social walking groups also provide a lifeline for many, offering connection and companionship, especially for those at risk of isolation." The campaign builds on findings from Paths for All's 2023 National Attitudes Survey and Living Streets' Pedestrian Pound report, both of which reveal a clear appetite for walking, but also highlight the barriers that hold people back. While many understand the physical and mental benefits, some feel unsure how to get started, and others lack the confidence to join local walking groups. To help overcome these hurdles, the campaign will spotlight real-life stories throughout May, featuring individuals whose lives have been transformed by making walking part of their daily routine. These personal accounts aim to inspire others to take that first step, no matter their age or ability. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
