RESIDENTS looking to get active are being encouraged to join new weekly walks aiming to build confidence and increase mobility.

The walks, which are a joint enterprise by Warrington Borough Council and Warrington Voluntary Action, will take place weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

People who were advised to shield during the pandemic were particularly vulnerable to becoming more inactive, and experienced a loss of not just mobility, but their confidence in their ability to walk.

The walks are open to anyone, though they are particularly aimed at residents who have been most impacted by the pandemic and lockdowns and wish to build their confidence, fitness and mobility.

The walking routes start in either Orford or Stockton Heath and will take around 10 to 20 minutes to complete, led by trained health walk leaders.

Following the short walk, the group is invited into a community centre for a cup of tea and chat.

Cllr Tony Higgins, cabinet member for leisure and community, said: “This new joint initiative is a great opportunity for residents to safely exercise, build up their confidence in walking and socialise with others.

“You can be secure that you can complete the short walk at your own pace and confident that you are in safe hands with our health walk leaders.

“These walks will be a great benefit to health and mobility – even if you are not yet confident that you could complete the full walk, some steps are better than none.

“Feel free to come along and build your fitness safely and gradually, while being part of your local community.”

The walk schedules are every Tuesday from 10.30am from Orford Community Hub and every Thursday from 1.45pm from Sandy Lane Community Centre in Stockton Heath.

For any queries or further information, email the council’s neighbourhoods team via communitycentres@warrington.gov.uk or call 01925 818017.