Oswestry based Dawn Milner tells Oswestry Life why the local community should join Walk with a Doc events and how they will benefit physical and mental health.
“I first found out about Walk with a Doc at an international conference on Nutrition in Medicine in Washington DC . A group of us went for an early morning walk around the National Mall on a humid July day. The location was stunning but also it was so good meeting and chatting to some of the walkers.
“Back home, I contacted Dr Sue Smith who had been running a group on the Wirral since 2018. I went on one of her walks round Birkenhead Park and was inspired to start a group in Oswestry. I’m retired now having been a GP at Plas Fynnon Medical Centre and also worked at the Department of Health,” says Dawn.
This walking group is different: the four components of it are exercise, social connections, being out in nature and health promotion.
Walk with a Doc was started in 2005 by a cardiologist Dr Sabgir in Columbus Ohio. He invited 100 of his patients to join him in a walk knowing how this simple exercise would benefit their health. This was the basis of a movement that has spread around the world and is now serving 600+ communities in 40+ countries. There are 26 chapters in the UK.
People of all ages, fitness levels and backgrounds are welcome to these free monthly events. After a brief talk on a health topic, the rest of the time is spent walking and chatting!
Walking is one of the most important things we can do for our health. It’s good for the heart, brain, bones, lungs, muscles, and joints. It helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke, helps to regulate blood pressure and cholesterol and prevent and manage type 2 diabetes.
Dawn is excited to bring this to Oswestry and believes it will enhance the sense of community in our town. “Although initially the one hour session is monthly, in time, with the help of new walk leaders we may introduce extra outings. New members and other health care providers are invited to join the group.”
The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 10.30am at Cae Glas Park gates. The motto is educate, exercise, empower!
