The People’s Movement, Sheffield’s physical activity campaign, is promoting Sheffield Walking Forum’s week-long festival ‘Walk Sheffield’, which runs from 30th May – 8th June 2008.

‘Walk Sheffield’ aims to encourage people to do exactly what it says on the tin and enjoy the many excellent walking routes that the city has to offer. Through the promotion of the festival Sheffield’s Walking Forum, part of the City’s Active Sheffield partnership, hope that the public will enjoy both the health and social benefits that can be gained from increasing the amount of walking that they do.

A ‘Walk Sheffield’ programme that outlines the events running during the festival, has also been produced. This provides a handy guide to all the different walks that take place around the city. Each walk is listed along with its theme, time, distance and meeting point; information about equipment needed, booking and walk leaders etc is also stated. If anybody would like to request a booklet they should contact Activity Sheffield on 0114 273 4266, alternatively the booklet can be downloaded at www.thepeoplesmovement.co.uk.

The festival will be launched by the Lord Mayor on Friday 30th May at 9.45am, with a 30-minute gentle walk titled ‘Sheffield’s Walking Heritage,’ starting from the Town Hall steps.

Walking is the cheapest and easiest way of becoming more active and is a great way to improve both your mental and physical health and well-being. The People’s Movement encourage everyone to be physically active for 30 minutes, five times a week. The 30 minutes can even be broken down into three 10-minute chunks making it even easier to be active!

The Walking Forum is also developing Urban Walk maps that aim to increase the number of people walking independently within their local green spaces, parks and woodland. The maps are easy to use and include information on the conditions of the path for each route e.g. the path surface, gradient and width to ensure that people can make informed decisions about which walk they should attempt. The maps are supplied to people who are less mobile or are new to walking independently, by health walk leaders or health professionals. The first map for this project, for Roe Woods, will be launched in July.

Terry Howard, Ramblers Association from the Sheffield branch, said: “Walking is a huge part of my life, I’ve been walking from being a kid when my dad took myself and my brother out looking for treasure. At around 10-years-old I joined the Woodcraft Folk and in the early 80’s it seemed logical for me to get involved in the Ramblers Access Campaign. I then became a Teacher as I wanted to promote walking to other young people and get them to recognise the benefits – the outdoors becomes educational simply by exploring and looking and the health impact comes automatically from the exploring.

“Walking is also about making new friends and there is also the creative side. Many people go out into the countryside to do photography, paint, draw and write poems reflecting on their experiences in the open spaces. Walking is a really good way to get away from the stresses of everyday lives - it’s a form of escapism.

“Much walking is done in the countryside, but people don’t realise that you can still get a great kick out of walking in more urban areas and it is surprising how little people know about what’s on their doorstep! For example Wincobank Hill, was once home to Iron Age hill fort (at least 2000 years ago) because of its position overlooking the River Don. It is thought that the Celtic Brigantes constructed the fort in attempts to stop the northward advance of the Roman legions. As you can tell, walking to me is a means to exploring and learning, and at the same time remaining fit and healthy!”

Diana Radford, Activity Sheffield Development Manager and spokesperson for The People’s Movement, said: “Walking is both fun and something that everyone can do. With the Walk Sheffield programme, anyone who wants to start walking but doesn’t know where to go, can get all the information they need from one booklet, including all the added extras of what type of equipment is needed and how difficult the walk will be. We hope that the festival will help us to achieve our goal and increase the levels of physical activity in the city.”