Party Conference: Ramblers’ ask MPs to take small step for health

To help MPs and political decision-makers experience the benefits of walking for themselves, the UK’s biggest walking charity is leading short walks around Birmingham City Centre during the Conservative Party Conference at the International Conference Centre between 28th September and 1st October.

By exhibiting at the conference, the Association will draw the attention of Ministers, MPs, and party activists to the value of walking in reducing health costs whilst also improving both mental and physical health. The Association will highlight successes in working with ethnic and deprived communities as part of its Get Walking Keep Walking projects in Birmingham and other cities.

The Get Walking Keep Walking projects are helping some 80,000 inner city residents build regular walking into their lives; a healthy and enjoyable activity for people on low incomes that also cuts health and social costs.To allow conference delegates to experience for themselves the health benefits even a short walk brings, the Ramblers are inviting delegates to take a breather from the speeches and join led walks around the canals and sights of Birmingham.

Parliamentary Affairs Officer Ed Turner explains: “We think it important to engage with MPs, Ministers and policy-makers to ensure that they understand the role walking can play in meeting their goals of a healthy, sustainable future. As obesity rates rise, we are promoting the mental, physical and emotional benefits of walking, including in an urban setting as a proven way of weight reduction.”

In addition to the led walks, conference delegates will have the chance to visit the Ramblers’ Association exhibition stand and learn more about the work and services of Britain’s leading walking charity.