What is Walking with Purpose?

Walking with Purpose is an 8-week guided walking programme that will help you begin to move more and gain the benefits of being more active: feeling happier, healthier and stronger.

You will complete a short amount of activity each day, such as 15 minutes (or less) walking around the house, garden or local outdoor space. Every day, you will aim to add just one more minute of walking. Before you know it, you will find you are walking for longer and feeling far fitter. Each week, you will record for how long you have walked and how you are feeling.

The programme begins with an optional welcome session to explain everything and answer all your questions. And it will end with a celebration walk together (again this is optional).

Walking with Purpose is led by Tom Bosworth, GB Race Walker, who achieved multiple world and British records while competing successfully at Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth level. He is now inspiring others to use walking as form of every day accessible exercise. This programme is organised by Fitmums & Friends, a local charity passionate about supporting people to be more active.

Who is it for?

Walking for Purpose is for anyone who would like to move more and feel the physical and mental health benefits of being more active.

It is for people who are struggling to be active for any reason – health, fitness, time, low motivation, we get it!

It is open to men and women, of any age, and all abilities – the programme can be adapted to all fitness levels to ensure that everyone is comfortable taking part.

You don’t even have to live nearby as the whole programme can be completed remotely. And you do NOT need to be a Fitmums & Friends member.

What will I get out of it?

The aim of Walking with Purpose is to help you feel happier and healthier. By taking part, you will see and feel the benefits of moving more – you will improve your mobility, fitness, strength, health and well-being.

What exactly is involved?

The programme begins with an optional welcome session at Cottingham Sports Centre (HU16 5QW) at 6pm on Wednesday 6 November. Tom will explain the programme and answer all of your questions. He can also talk with you individually to set the right starting point and progression for you. After the session, you can do your first walk with us if you wish. If you can’t attend this session, we can send you a video afterwards – you do NOT have to attend this session to take part in the programme.

Then you will begin to walk every day. You will start with the amount of continuous walking that is right for you – as little as five minutes. Each day, you will aim to add more time walking, progressing at your pace. Fit the walk into your daily routine by completing it at home, at work, after school run, in your lunch break, with a family member, friend or colleague – however works best for you.

Each week, we will check in with you to record how many minutes you have walked. You will also complete a short well-being questionnaire at the beginning, middle and end of the programme. Your personal information will be kept confidential when analysing this data.

At the end of the programme, we will meet up again for an optional celebration walk together.

If you would like to continue walking after the programme finishes, we can introduce you to local parkruns and the walking groups at Fitmums & Friends local clubs. Both are very friendly and supportive places to keep being active.

How much does it cost?

This programme is free to you.