Small steps make a big difference

WORKERS in Oldham are putting their best foot forward thanks to an innovative lunchtime walking scheme.

The Walking Works scheme is a series of town centre walks accompanied by a comprehensive pocket-sized map.

As well as featuring detailed, colour-coded routes, the map also calculates the approximate number of calories burned and the number of steps taken.

This is to help people compare their progress with the Department of Health’s recommendation of 10,000 steps per day.

The scheme was developed by the health improvement service from Oldham Community Health Services (OCHS — part of Oldham Primary Care Trust), Oldham Council and Oldham Community Leisure.

The walks range in length from 10 minutes to an hour and are designed to fit into a lunch break.

They were designed to appeal to staff at these organisations and so the various routes take in Oldham Primary Care Trust (PCT), Oldham Council buildings and Oldham Sports Centre.

Alan Keane, Oldham outdoor pursuits co-ordinator, said: “We are aiming to promote physical activity and to show that small steps can make a big difference.”

Alison Broadbent, the council’s human resources adviser, said: “We wanted to encourage our employees to walk more.

“Teaming up with our partners at the PCT means that we’ve been able to provide staff with the means to do this and help them on their way to the Government’s recommendation of 10,000 steps a day.”

Maps are available on Oldham PCT’s website at www.oldham.nhs.uk

Alternatively, call Alan on 07808-770 341 or Alison on 0161-770 8141.