On Thursday 4 June the secrets to keeping people walking will be revealed. Ramblers Cymru, the national walking charity with the University of Aberystwyth will launch the findings of an in depth research study to identify the factors which make walking sustainable for community groups.
Beverley Penney Director Wales says “Ramblers Cymru offers walking opportunities to everyone for all the widespread benefits walking brings- mental and physical health, economic and social. In our experience walking which is community based is most likely to keep going and therefore be sustainable. Both Ramblers Cymru groups and the many community walking projects we are working with show this to us.
We really wanted to know more about this and asked Aberystwyth University to identify the key factors for us. So we are pleased to be launching a sustainable walkers and walking checklist which identifies the key success factors as relevance, relationships, reinforcing sustainability for those wanting to keep their walking group going.”
Lead researcher Dr David Tod, Aberystwyth University Lecturer in Sports and Exercise Science Dept said, "Our research with Ramblers Cymru shows sustainability needs to be considered from the individual through to the community level. For instance, community organisations need to take into account factors such as barriers people face to participating in walking groups, how the activity becomes embedded in the community, networking with other organizations, funding opportunities and strategies, volunteer recruitment, and advertising. One result from our research has been a checklist to help organisations think about these factors. One reason why working with Ramblers Cymru is excellent for us at the Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Aberystwyth University, is because they are a fantastic example of a sustainable walking organisation. The last 75 years shows they have got a plan that works and we can learn a lot from the Ramblers. "
For more information call Ramblers Cymru 029 2064 4308, cerddwyr@ramblers.org.uk www.ramblers.org.uk/wales
Notes to editors:
• The Ramblers is at the heart of walking in Wales and Britain. Everyone walks, so the Ramblers is for everyone.
• Y Cerddwyr/ Ramblers Cymru has 7,000 members and 40 Groups in Wales organising walks, campaigning for and representing walkers. We want Wales to be a place where people choose to walk and where it’s easy and enjoyable to do so. We aim for good-quality walking environments and to make walking accessible to all. We are working for walkers from the centre of towns and cities to the tops of mountains.
• Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust has contributed towards this research.
