Websites of great organisations 

is an app produced by the NHS to promote exercise. It measures how many minutes of your walking are brisk but we owe a lot to national charities which are committed to improving the environment and encouraging walking and here are the key organisations.

is an app produced by the NHS to promote exercise. It measures how many minutes of your walking are brisk but we owe a lot to national charities which are committed to improving the environment and encouraging walking and here are the key organisations.

organises Memory Walks not only for fund raising but also because of the importance of walking and memories for people with dementia.

organises a number of different walking challenges such as a 10,000 steps challenge and a mountain trek challenge not only for fundraising but to promote the benefits of walking.

promotes walking as a factor which can reduce cancer risk. 

promotes a range of walks including Pink walks for fundraising but also to promote health and reduce the risk of disease. 

supports and promotes a wide range of different types of walking, not only to reduce the risk of heart disease but also to improve the function of the heart for people with heart disease and Heart Matters Walking is a major campaign.

on BBC TV is helping people understand the emotional and existential importance of walking; it is the optimal wellbeing service.

not only runs a major campaign against ageism it promotes Age Friendly Communities and as part of this has developed a method for doing Walk Audits to assess the walkability of a neighbourhood.

has a major green therapy programme including Green Walking for people recovering from mental health problems.

is a very well produced monthly walking magazine, digital and paper, allowing you to experience many walks you will never be able to do. 

organises many walks for fundraising, including KiltWalks in Scotland! It also emphasises the therapeutic benefits of walking for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and they have succeeded in changing the culture of management of Type 2 diabetes so that walking is seen as an integral part of therapy.

galvanises and mobilises communities to take action to improve their health and wellbeing and one of their programmes is Beat the Streets which incentives people of all ages, particularly school children to walk more.

does great work, particularly in cities, to increase walkability and is running a strong campaign against Pavement Parking.

encourages a wide variety of different types of walks, including their Mighty Hikes and provide good advice on training for walking more. They also plays a vitally important part in developing Wellbeing Walks because they sponsored the first three years of these walks, organised by the Ramblers, after the Department of Health stopped funding them.

promotes walking for fundaraising and emphasises the benefits of walking with nature.

is a very clever website allowing you to find easy walks near you and has a useful pedometer App.

if you are finding the 3o minute brisk walking too easy, try Parkrun.

organises a wide range of walks partly for fund raising but also for the benefit that walking brings for mental wellbeing as well as physical wellbeing, including for people who already have severe problems. For example their Wild Ways for Wellbeing Walks emphasises the benefits of nature for people with mental health problems.

has a major Step Up campaign encouraging people to walk and run for their wellbeing and to raise funds for local initiatives.

is developing a map of ways of walking from town to town. 

promotes walking , not just for fund raising but for its benefits, particularly in reducing the risk of stroke as well as promoting walking and other types of exercise for people who have had a stroke.

works tirelessly to influence transport policy in favour of walking and cycling. 

sees walking as a way of increasing wellbeing while enjoying the majesty of its properties and places.

promotes walking especially for people with the condition because “it has an impact both physically and mentally and can help manage Parkinson’s symptoms”.

campaigns for walkers and organises a huge range of walks including Wellbeing Walks which are specifically designed for people with health problems and which are a very important activity therapy service. Paths for All is the equivalent organisation in Scotland promoting Walking for Health, on its home page and organising Health Walks. Ramblers members receive their excellent magazine called Walk

co-ordinates the work of charities focused on specific health problems and the work being done on walking by these charities is of great importance in  the development of walking therapy. The key charities are listed below. 

promotes walking emphasising the benefits of green walking and its book Wildlife Walks highlights 475 wonderful walks. 

has developed walking groups for people with arthritis and plays a major role in promoting walking as a therapy, including research programes such as Walk with Ease.