A short walk to better Health in South Chadderton

UProjects have been working in partnership with The Chadderton District Team, Oldham Council’s Environmental Services and GP Dr Anita Sharma to develop a weekly, short, free and accessible led walk from the South Chadderton Health Centre

Coalshaw Green Park

From Dr Sharma's Practice

For people who have problems with their health or have had them in the past, it can be hard to stay active, but walking can make all the difference,  It's a low impact exercise so it's easy for you to get involved - even if you're not feeling your best. In fact, walking could help you feel great again!

This walk has been specially designed for those who want to start exercising or maybe need to keep active due to any medical conditions; it has also been a great way for walkers to meet new friends from the South Chadderton area and new walkers from other areas of Oldham.

The short walk is around 1.5 miles in total with a rest break at the park and starts every Thursday morning at 10:00 from the Health Centre entrance area.

Led by Walking For Health trained leaders

All ‘Lets go for a Walk’ health walks are led by trained leaders

“We are pleased to work in partnership with Uprojects, South Chadderton Medical Centre and Oldham Council’s Envirinmental Services to deliver an easy health walk in the local community for people who are less likely to take part in exercise. We recognise that by attending the walks participants can develop social networks and opportunities as well as benefiting from the physical effects of walking in the fresh air. The walks are for people of all fitness levels and we are hoping that people will continue to walk throughout the winter months.”

— The Chadderton District Team

Linking with health and social care professionals

The Oldham health walk initiative is part of Walking for Health, England’s largest network of health walk schemes, run by the Ramblers for over 12 years and helping all kinds of people to lead a more active lifestyle.

Every week thousands of people are supported to experience the benefits of getting and staying active, improving their mental and physical wellbeing, and reducing social isolation.

Spending just 60 seconds recommending Walking for Health to your patients will encourage them to increase their levels of physical activity, ultimately saving lives and money, and reducing clinic numbers

“Walking for Health offers a clear mechanism for primary care and other professionals to refer people to an appropriate led walks programme”

— Public Health England

The new Chadderton walk was developed after consultation with Dr Anita Sharma, a GP at the Health Centre. Dr Sharma is now an ambassador of this scheme and says that this has changed the thinking and life of not only her patients but patients of other practices and her staff.

“We are all aware GPs and their practice teams are under pressure like never before, with challenging workloads, ever increasing demands and high levels of stress. It seems the negative press is endless, so SCMC practice is especially proud to be joining and promoting the new walks, this is an excellent example of social prescribing in action.
The RCGP Active practice Charter is my vision...
To Increase physical activity in staff and patients by teaming with a local physical activity provider, to support my practice in getting people active such as Walking For Health.
My local Oldham Walks scheme has quite simply changed my life too and the people I’ve met are truly inspirational”

— Anita Sharma GPwSI Gynaecology Oldham - Ex clinical director vascular and medicine optimisation Oldham CCG - Educational lead North West - GP member of NICE QS

Walkers Stories

“At an appointment with Dr Sharma at South Chadderton Health Centre, I mentioned that I wanted to lose weight and become fitter. She told me about the Health Walk that leaves the surgery every Thursday at 10am. It’s for people like me who are just starting out on improving their fitness. A short walk to Coalshaw Green Park and back, it is enjoyable to be out in the fresh air, walking with others, making new friends. We usually manage to fit in a coffee at some point. I am so grateful to Dr Sharma for letting me know about it and to Alan the walk leader, also to my lovely group of fellow walkers.”

— Lorna - South Chadderton Resident

A gentleman who was once a keen walker and volunteer walk leader for the Oldham Lets go for a Walk scheme regularly now walks with the Thursday walkers. Don is recovering from surgery on his leg, initially walking very short distances with a walking aid and needing regular stops he has now just completed his first continual walk without aid, this has been marked as fantastic and unforeseen progress following a very serious medical issue.

“These shorter walks have been great, helping me to get back walking again with the confidence of being in a group that will walk at a pace to suit everyone; i have been able to slowly increase my walking ability and hope to re join the longer walks in the future”

— Don - Lets Go For a Walk leader

Don’s pathway to recovery….

'Being able to talk openly about my personal struggle and listening to other people's trials has proved invaluable for my mental wellbeing. Without these health walks my path to recovery may not have been possible.'
- Don

Information for Health and Social Care professionals

Visit WFH